Du Mez—The Galenical Oleoresins. 
1077 
minative action of the preparation must also be attributed in 
part to the volatile oil contained therein. 
Physical Properties. 
Color: The oleoresins examined in the laboratory were ob¬ 
served to be rather dark brown in color when spread out in thin 
layers on a white porcelain surface. This property, however, 
is reported to vary somewhat with the variety and condition of 
the ginger used in making the preparation. When African 
ginger is employed, the oleoresin is stated to be dark brown in 
color, whereas, uncoated Jamaica ginger is said to yield a 
preparation comparatively light in color. 1 
Odor: The oleoresin, when prepared according to the official 
process, has the full aroma of ginger, the quality of which is 
stated to be influenced largely by the variety of ginger used. 2 
Taste: The preparation has the sharp pungency and flavor 
of ginger. This property, like the odor, is stated to vary with 
the variety of ginger used, Jamaica ginger yielding the product 
with the best flavor. 3 
Consistence: The oleoresin is a thick liquid, being of about 
the consistence of molasses, as a rule, but varying somewhat 
with the variety of the ginger used in its preparation. The 
fluidity is said to be the greatest when prepared from Jamaica 
ginger and the least when made from the African variety. 4 
Solubility: The oleoresin is soluble in absolute alcohol, ace¬ 
tone, ether, chloroform, and glacial acetic acid. It is partially 
soluble in petroleum ether, the extent of its solubility depend¬ 
ing on the solvent used in its preparation as is shown in the fol¬ 
lowing table: 
Table 65— Solubility of the oleoresin in petroleum ether. 
Solvent used in preparing the oleoresin. 
Alcohol 
Acetone 
Ether 
Per cent, of oleoresin soluble in petrol, ether.. 
45.55 
49.59 
69.44 
1 Parrish. Treatise on Pharmacy, (1867), p. 233. 
2 Idris (1898). 
3 Idris (1898). 
4 Idris (1898). 
