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Extraction is the process in which the active compounds (like crude protein) present in the plants or animal tissue in the form of inert compounds get extracted and used with solvent to prepare pharmaceutical drugs. The crude extract is the freshly obtained product acquired from the extraction process of the natural substance. According to the crude extract definition, the obtained extract is formed in liquids, semi-solids, and powder form. In the pharmaceutical industry, the crude extract formation of the drug is obtained from the natural plant, which has a higher concentration of active agents by the extraction process. All the crude extract methods and affecting factors involved in extract formation will be discussed in the upcoming section.
Factors Affecting the Extraction Process as Mentioned by Crude Extract Definition
Numerous factors directly impact the preparation of the crude extract of the pharmaceutical drugs. They are:
The Characteristics of Drugs
According to the crude extract definition, the extract is prepared by separating the active component (like crude protein) with the useful solvent compound for the preparation of drugs. In that case, the characteristics of drugs become essential to understand so that the correct crude extract method can be equipped. For example, the maceration process is involved for the powdered and soft forms of the drug, while percolation is used to prepare the hard drug.
Drug Stability
For the successful extraction of the active constituent of the plants, the extract formation required a stable form of the drug. As the extraction process involves boiling at a higher temperature, a suitable and appropriate drug will be used for the extract formation.
Type of Solvent Used
According to the crude extract definition, solvent plays a major role in the formation of the extract. In most cases, water acts as a universal solvent for preparing the crude extract. In the maceration process, water is recommended to prepare the extract formation. The solvent can choose which was desirable for the drugs as per demand instead of pure boiling solvent or azeotrope.
Product Concentration
The formation of diluted product, which is termed tinctures, involves maceration or percolation process and also depends upon the other important factors. Highly concentrated extract formation involves a percolation process, and the semi-concentrated process involves infusion or double and triple maceration.
Drug Cost
The cost of the drug is another factor in the selection of the extraction process. Expensive drugs require a percolation process, while cheap drugs require a maceration process.
The Therapeutic Value of Drug
Drugs with a higher therapeutic value require maximum extraction.
Crude Extract Methods
Maceration
Maceration is when the ingredients in solid form are kept in stoppers contained with the required solvent and sustained for almost three days with continuous agitation in a warm place till the soluble matter gets dissolved. After that mixture gets filtered, the remains get washed with sufficient solvent. The types of solvents used in this process are water, aqueous, and non-aqueous solvents.
Dimaceration
In Dimacreation, this process involved subsequent repetition of the same maceration process two times for the crude extract formation.
Decoction
In the given process, the water-soluble extract is formed by continuous heating for a specified duration of time. This water-soluble extract gets strained and remains as it is for cooling. For obtaining the required volume of extract, sufficient cold water can be added with the same.
Infusion
Infusion is the form of a dilute solution of already prepared soluble components of crude drugs. For the preparation of fresh infusion, the maceration process is involved for a shorter duration of time, along with the heating. The solution involved in this process is water.
Digestion
It is a type of maceration process with gentle heating for the preparation of the extract. It was used where high solubility of extract formation at moderately elevated temperatures is required.
Percolation
It is a conventional type of extraction process in which the percolators (like glass and porcelain) of different shapes and sizes are used for the formation of extract, which is termed percolate. The appropriate size of the drug gets mixed with solvent and allowed to stand for some time. As the drug gets swelled, the drug having moisture is filled into the percolator without compressing it. After that, the solvent gets poured from the system and allows for the maceration process for a shorter duration. Then the obtained product is the extract.
Conclusion
This article concluded with brief information about the crude extract formation in a simple manner. In this article, various factors affect the formation of extract from the natural origin of source for the preparation of the pharmaceutical drugs. Those factors are given as the characteristics of the drug, stability of drugs, types of solvent used, the concentration of the product, the therapeutic value of the drug, and drug cost. Numerous crude methods involved for the same are maceration, percolation, infusion, digestion, and dimaceration. This article provides conclusive knowledge about the crude extract for the formation of pharmaceutical drugs.
