Du Mez—The Galenical Oleoresins. 
1073 
Table 64. — Yield of oleoresin as obtained in the laboratory. 
Yield of oleoresin 
Date 
Observer 
Alco¬ 
hol 
Ace¬ 
tone 
Ether 
Other 
solvents 
Remarks 
1909 
DuMez & Arnold 
Per ct. 
6.60 
Per ct. 
Per ct. 
5.30 
Per cent 
Benzin 
Represents yield using a Soxh- 
let’s extraction app., except 
in the case of alcohol.O) 
Represents yield using a Soxh- 
1910 
DuMez & Netzel. 
6.33 
5.62 
5.00 
2.57 
Petrol, ether 
let’s extraction app.. except 
in the case of alcohol. 
1916 
DuMez . 
6.28 
5.49 
4.92 
3.15 
Represents yield using a Soxh- 
let’s extraction app., except 
in the case of alcohol. 
1 Jamaica ginger was the variety of the drug used in all cases. When 
alcohol was the solvent employed, the process of extraction was that of 
simple percolation. 
Chemistry of the Drug and Oleoresin. 
Tabulation of Constituents. 
The chemistry of the constituents of ginger is still incomplete 
in many details, although, it has been the subject of a number of 
investigations. 1 In the light of our present knowledge, the fol¬ 
lowing may be said to comprise the constituents of importance 
to the pharmacist: volatile oil, gingerol, resins, fat, wax, gum, 
sugar, starch and inorganic matter. Thresh 2 has identified the 
following in the oleoresin prepared by extracting the rhizomes 
with ether: 
Volatile Oil Eesin Wax 
Gingerol Fat Ash 
Occurrence and Description of Individual Constituents. 
Volatile Oil. 3 The volatile oil or so-called essence of ginger 
is described by Thresh 4 as being a pale straw colored liippid 
1 Morin, Journ. de Pharm. et de Chim. (1823), 9, p. 256; Thresh, Fharm. 
Journ. (1879), 39, p. 171; Jones, Chem. & Drugg. (1886), 28, p. 413; Gane, 
Pharm. Journ. (1892), 51, p. 802; Balland. Journ. Pharm. Chim. (1903), 18, 
p. 248 ; Reich, Zeitschr. Unters. Nahr. u. Genussm. (1907). 14, p. 549. 
»l. c. 
3 The description of the volatile oil as given above is for the product ob¬ 
tained from the rhizomes by steam distillation. The oil as it exists in the 
oleoresin prepared from the rhizomes by extraction with a solvent will un¬ 
doubtedly differ somewhat. 
4 Pharm. Journ. (1881), 41, p. 198; Year-Book of Fharm. (1881), 18, p. 393. 
