SPIRITS

SPIRITS

Definition:

Spirits are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solutions of volatile substances. Most are used as flavoring agents but a few have medicinal value. The active ingredient in the spirit may be a solid, liquid or gas.

Use:

(i)       They are mainly used as flavoring agents. e.g. Lemon spirit, Peppermint Spirit, Compound Orange Spirit etc.

(ii)     Some spirits are taken internally for their medicinal value e.g. Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia IP is a respiratory stimulant.

Storage:

Spirits contains volatile substances hence, should be stored in tight containers and should be stored in a cool place. This prevents the volatilization of alcohol or the active substances.

Methods of preparation:

(i)      Simple solution method        e.g. Chloroform Spirit IP               Spirit of Ether IP

(ii) Solution with maceration       e.g. Compound Orange Spirit IP

(iii) Distillation        e.g. Aromatic Spirit of    Ammonia IP

Examples:

Name of Spirit	Formula	Method of preparation
Chloroform Spirit IP	Chloroform 50ml Alcohol (90%v/v) upto 1000ml	Simple solution
Spirit of Ether IP	Anaesthetic Ether 330ml Alcohol (90%v/v) up to 1000ml	Simple solution

Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia

Synonym.  Aromat. Sp. Ammon.,     Spirit of Sal Volatile

Formula:               Ammonium bicarbonate [NH₄HCO₃]             25g

                                Ammonia solution strong                                  70ml

                                Lemon oil                                                              5ml

                                Nutmeg oil                                                            3ml

                                Alcohol (90%v/v)                                                750ml

                                Purified Water q.s.                                               1000ml

Method of preparation:

(i)       Lemon oil (5ml) + Nutmeg oil (3ml) + Alcohol 90% (750ml) + Purified Water (375ml) ® taken in a still (1173ml)

(ii)     The first 875ml portion of the distillate is collected.

(iii)    The second 35ml portion of the distillate is collected separately.

(iv)   The second distillate is taken in a bottle, ammoniumbicarbonate (25g) and strong ammonia solution (70ml) is taken. The bottle is closed and warmed gently at 60⁰C on a water bath. The bottle is shaken to dissolve the salt completely.

(v)     The solution is cooled and filtered through cotton wool.

(vi)   This solution is then mixed gradually with the first distillate (i.e. 875ml).

(vii)  Sufficient purified water is added to make up the volume up to 1000ml.

Storage:

The preparation contains volatile oils (Nutmeg and Lemon oil) therefore, it should be stored in a tightly closed container in a cool place.