Am.  Jour  Pharm  ) 
Jan.,  1879.  J 
Salts  of  Berberina. 
15 
of  the  alkaloid  berberina.  When  we  add  ammonia  water  in  slight 
excess  to  a  mixture  of  the  impure  sulphate  of  berberina  and  water, 
sulphate  of  ammonia  is  formed,  which  dissolves,  together  with  the 
liberated  berberina,  an  alkaloid  very  soluble  in  water  and  alkaline  solu- 
tions. The  slight  excess  of  ammonia  precipitates  the  hydrastia  in  an 
amorphous  state,  which,  with  the  adhering  resin  and  oil,  are  separated 
by  filtration  ;  afterward,  sulphuric  acid  added  to  the  filtrate  again  forms 
sulphate  of  berberina,  which  crystallizes.  This  is  pure  enough  for  all 
practical  purposes.  It  contains  a  small  amount  of  sulphate  of  ammo- 
nia and  a  little  foreign  matter.  It  can  be  purified  farther,  if  desirable, 
by  repeating  the  last  operation,  dissolving  in  hot  alcohol  and  crystal- 
lizing.   For  practical  purposes  this  is  unnecessary. 
When  ammonia  water  is  added  to  sulphate  of  berberina,  the  salt  is 
decomposed,  with  formation  of  sulphate  of  ammonium  and  the  libera- 
tion of  berberina.  Both  substances  remain  in  solution,  the  berberina 
imparting  a  dark  red  color.  The  addition  of  the  hot  alcohol  precipi- 
tates the  larger  portion  of  the  sulphate  of  ammonium,  and  when  the 
filtrate  containing  the  berberina  is  poured  into  sulphuric  ether,  that 
alkaloid  crystallizes  in  consequence  of  its  slight  solubility  in  ether  and 
a  mixture  of  alcohol  and  ether.  The  impurities  may  be  traces  of 
sulphate  of  ammonium. 
The  other  salts,  simply  combinations  of  berberina  and  the  acids,  do 
not  require  mention.  Almost  any  salt  may  be  produced  in  like  man- 
ner by  the  substitution  of  various  acids. 
I  have  met  with  little  success  in  endeavoring  to  obtain  berberina  by 
evaporation  of  a  solution  of  the  alkaloid,  unless  by  spontaneous  evap- 
oration, the  heat  of  expanded  steam,  1500  to  1800  Fahr.,  seeming 
to  decompose  it. 
Fixed  Oil  of  Hydrastis. — After  separating  the  sulphate  of  berberina 
from  the  tincture,  add  to  the  liquid  its  bulk  of  water  and  evaporate  the 
alcohol.  Allow  the, residuum  to  remain  in  a  cool  place  some  days,  and 
carefully  skim  off"  the  green  oil  which  collects  on  the  surface  of  the 
water  associated  with  a  little  resin.  It  can  be  purified  by  dissolving  in 
sulphuric  ether. 
This  oil  has  a  disagreeable  odor  and  taste,  but  is  not  bitter.  It  turns 
reddish-brown  by  age. 
Volatile  Oil  of  Hydrastis. — In  addition  hydrastis  contains  a  very  small 
amount  of  volatile  oil,  which  imparts  the  peculiar  odor  of  the  root.  It 
