142  Isolation  of  a  Substance  from  Sesame  Oil.{AmjJ^^m- 
is  blue,  which  is  best  observed  by  pouring  the  solution  into  a  small 
porcelain  basin.  When  the  purple  solution  is  allowed  to  stand  for 
some  time  a  small  purple  deposit  takes  place.  It  has  not  yet  been 
examined,  but  it  has  the  appearance  of  a  dye.  It  would  be  interest- 
ing to  determine  what  this  substance  is,  because  the  pyrogallol  reac- 
tion with  sesame  oil  points  probably  to  the  presence  of  still  another 
constituent  in  the  oil  other  than  the  one  I  am  now  about  to 
describe. 
ISOLATION  OF  ANOTHER  SUBSTANCE  FROM  SESAME 
OIL. 
By  J.  F.  Tocher,  A.I.C. 
In  the  "  Pharmacographia  "  it  is  stated  that "  sesame  oil  contains  an 
extremely  small  quantity  of  a  substance,  perhaps  resinoid,  which 
has  not  yet  been  isolated.  It  may  be  obtained  in  solution  by 
repeatedly  shaking  five  volumes  of  the  oil  with  one  of  glacial  acetic 
acid.  If  a  cold  mixture  of  equal  weights  of  sulphuric  and  nitric  acids 
be  added  in  like  volume,  the  acetic  solution  acquires  a  greenish- 
yellow  hue.  *  *  *  The  oil  itself  being  gently  shaken  with  nitro- 
sulphuric  acid  takes  a  fine  green  hue,  as  shown  by  Behrens  in.  1852, 
\a  ho  pointed  out  that  no  other  oil  gave  the  same  reaction.  *  *  *" 
I  have  made  an  examination  of  this  extractive  from  sesame  oil, 
having  had  three  objects  in  view,  viz  : 
(1)  To  find,  if  possible,  a  reaction  more  delicate  than  that  given 
in  the  "Pharmacographia,"  which  would  suit  as  a  test  for  the  detec- 
tion of  sesame  oil.  (2)  To  ascertain  whether  the  reaction  caused  by 
nitro-sulphuric  acid  was  due  to  a  constituent  in  the  extractive,  as 
implied  in  the  "  Pharmacographia."  (3)  To  separate  the  resinoid 
substance  said  to  be  present. 
How  far  success  has  followed  me  in  the  first-mentioned  can  be 
judged  by  those  who  apply  the  test  described  in  my  former  note. 
Regarding  the  second  an  affirmative  reply  has  to  be  given,  for  when 
a  little  of  the  extractive  was  brought  in  contact  with  H2S04  -f-  HNOs 
on  a  porcelain  slab,  the  acid  mixture  acquired  a  fine  green  color, 
changing  to  a  bright  red.  The  third  and  principal  object,  the  exami- 
nation of  the  extractive  for  the  purpose  of  separating  the  resinoid 
substance,  was  one  in  which  I  entered  by  no  means  sure  of  success, 
but  the  following  will  indicate  to  what  extent  the  object  has  been 
attained. 
