Powdered Valerian
DEFINITION
Powdered Valerian is Valerian reduced to a fine or a very fine powder. It contains no calcium oxalate crystals and no foreign starch granules. It contains NLT 0.3% of volatile oil and NLT 0.04% of valerenic acid (C15H22O2).
IDENTIFICATION
• A. Color Reaction
Sample solution:
0.2 g of Powdered Valerian in 5 mL of methylene chloride. Shake several times, and allow to stand for 5 min. Filter, wash the filter with 2 mL of methylene chloride, and combine the filtrate and washings in one container. Heat the combined filtrate and washings on a water bath for the minimum time required to evaporate the solvent, and dissolve the residue in 0.2 mL of methylene chloride.
Analysis:
To 0.1 mL of the Sample solution add 3 mL of a mixture of equal volumes of glacial acetic acid and 25% hydrochloric acid, and shake several times.
Acceptance criteria:
A blue color develops within 15 min.
• B. HPLC Identification Test
Analysis:
Proceed as directed in the test for Content of Valerenic Acid.
Acceptance criteria:
The Sample solution chromatogram exhibits a peak for valerenic acid at a retention time that corresponds to that of the Standard solution.
COMPOSITION
• Content of Valerenic Acid
Mobile phase:
A (4:1) mixture of methanol and dilute phosphoric acid (1 in 200)
Standard solution:
0.05 mg/mL of USP Valerenic Acid RS in 70% alcohol
Sample solution:
To 2 g of Powdered Valerian add 40.0 mL of 70% alcohol. Shake by mechanical means for 2 h at room temperature. Centrifuge, and use the clear extract.
Chromatographic system
Mode:
LC
Detector:
UV 225 nm
Column:
4.6-mm × 25-cm; packing L1
Flow rate:
1.5 mL/min
Injection size:
20 µL
System suitability
Sample:
Standard solution
Suitability requirements
Tailing factor:
NMT 2.0 for the valerenic acid peak
Relative standard deviation:
NMT 2.0% for the valerenic acid peak
Analysis
Samples:
Standard solution and Sample solution
Calculate the percentage of valerenic acid (C15H22O2) in the portion of Powdered Valerian taken:
Result = (rU/rS) × CS × (V/W) × 100
Acceptance criteria:
NLT 0.04% on the dried basis
• Articles of Botanical Origin, Volatile Oil Determination 561
Sample:
100 g
Acceptance criteria:
NLT 0.3%
CONTAMINANTS
• Heavy Metals 231:
50 µg/g
• Articles of Botanical Origin, General Method for Pesticide Residues Analysis 561:
Meets the requirements
• Microbial Enumeration Tests 2021:
The total bacterial count does not exceed 105 cfu/g, the total combined molds and yeasts count does not exceed 103 cfu/g, and bile-tolerant Gram-negative bacteria does not exceed 103 cfu/g.
• Absence of Specified Microorganisms 2022:
It meets the requirements of the tests for absence of Salmonella species and Escherichia coli.
SPECIFIC TESTS
• Botanic Characteristics
Microscopic:
Numerous fragments of parenchyma cells containing globules of volatile oil and starch granules; fragments of scalariform and reticulate thickened vessels and tracheids and strongly lignified narrow fibers; fragments of periderm and of piliferous layer with root hairs; numerous starch granules, rarely simple, mostly compounds of 26 components, spheroidal, plano-convex, 320, mostly from 8 to 12 µm in diameter with a central hilum, the starch granules being from 7 to 30 µm in diameter
• Extractable Matter
Sample:
2 g, carefully dried at 40
Analysis:
Mix the Sample with 20 mL of 70% alcohol, and allow to stand for 2 h, shaking frequently. Filter, evaporate 5 mL of the filtrate on a water bath to dryness, and dry the residue at 105.
Acceptance criteria:
NLT 20%. The weight of the dried residue is NLT 100 mg.
• Water, Method 1a 921:
NMT 5.0%
• Articles of Botanical Origin, Total Ash 561:
NMT 12.0%
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Packaging and Storage:
Preserve in well-closed containers, store at room temperature, and protect from light and moisture.
• Labeling:
The label states the Latin binomial and, following the official name, the parts of the plant from which the article was derived.
Auxiliary Information
Please check for your question in the FAQs before contacting USP.
USP35NF30 Page 1464
Pharmacopeial Forum: Volume No. 32(2) Page 395
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