Benzoin

Synonyms :- 

Sumatra Benzoin, Lobani, Gum Benjiamin

Biological Sources :- 

It is balsamic resin obtained from incision on stem of strax benzoin dryand or styrax paralleloneurus perkins and other species of styrax

Family :- 

Styracea

Geographical Sources :-

The plant from which contains benzoic acid is obtained are large trees in indigenous to south eastern asia and east india.

Collection and Preparation :- 

• Benzoin tree are not grow in india.
• Benzoin is a pathological resin and collected from 6 year old plant.
• Incision are made at base of plant.
• Do not collect first yellow wish exudate.
• Later exudate are collected dried.

Morphology :-

Sumatra Benzoin :-

• Colour :-  Grayish brown to gray
• Odour :-  Aromatic and characteristics
• Taste:-  Sweetish and slightly acrid
• Size :-  It occur in the form of lumps of varying sizes or tears. Tears are externally yellow wish, milky white, the surface is uneven when heated fumes of benzoic acid and cinnamic acid are produced.

Siam Benzoin :- 

• Colour :-  yellowish brown to rusty brown
• Odour :-  Agreeable and vanilla like
• Taste :-  Sweetish and slightly acrid
• Size :-  It occur as hard brittle masses and when heated it is soften and become plastic

Chemical Constituents :-

• It should contain not less than 25% of total balsamic acid with reference to dry alcohol soluble matter.
• Sumatra Benzoin contain free balsamic acid 25% ( Benzoic acid and cinnamic acid (20%)) and ester derived from them.
• Triterpenoids acid such as sumaresinolic acid and Sia resinolic acid are also present.
• The major constituents of siam benzoin(less amount of cinnamic acid) is an ester coniferyl benzoate ( about 76%)
• The drug also contains styrol, Vanillin and phenyl propyl cinnamate.

Chemical Test :- 

• Alcoholic solution of benzoin + H2O ⇒ Milky white colour
• Benzoin + Ether + 2-3 drops of H2SO4 ⇒‍ Dark brown (sumatra), Dark Purple (Siam)

Uses :- 

• It is used as  Carminative and Diuretic.
• It is used in the form of compound tincture of Benzoin and as an inhalation especially in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection.
•  It is preferred to retard rancidity of fat and oils in the preparation of benzoated lard.

Allied Drug :- 

Palembang benzoin, an inferior variety produced in Sumatra, may be collected from isolated trees from which the resin
has not been stripped for some time. It is easily distinguished, being very light in weight and breaking with an irregular porous fracture. It consists almost entirely of reddish brown resin, with only a few very small tears embedded in it. Palembang benzoin is used as a source of natural benzoic acid.

MCQ.

1. Benzoin belong to family

A. Solanaceae

B. Liliaceae

C. Styracea

D. Zingiberaceae

2. Which of the following is synonymous of Benzoin ?

A. Monkshood

B. Lobani

C. Betal Nut

D. Cork wood

3. Which of the following is Allied Drug of Benzoin?

A. None of the above

B. Styrax benzoin dryand

C. Styrax paralleloneurus

D. Palembang benzoin

4. Which of the following is not use of Benzoin?

A. Asthma

B. Upper respiratory tract infection

C. Diuretic

D. Anti Diuretic

5. Which of the following is false sentence about Siam Benzoin ?

A. It has Grayish Brown to Gray in colour.

B. It has Yellow wish brown to rusty ii colour.

C. It is brittle in nature

D. It is become plastic when heated.

6. Which gland is secreted resin?

A. Schizogenous Duct

B. Parenchyma Duct

C. A and B

D. None of the above

7. In chemical test of benzoin dark brown colour is due to 

A. Siam Benzoin

B. Sumatra Benzoin

C. A and B

D. None of the above

8. Which of the following is true about Sumatra Benzoin?

A. It has Grayish Brown to Gray in colour.

B. It has Yellow wish brown to rusty ii colour.

C. It is brittle in nature.

D. It is become plastic when heated.

9. Which of the following is major chemical constituents of Benzoin ?

A. Phenyl propyl cinnamate

B. Sia resinolic

C. Balsamic acid

D. Styrol

10. In chemical test of benzoin dark brown colour is due to 

A. Siam Benzoin

B. Sumatra Benzoin

C. A and B

D. None of the above

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Answer Key

1. C

2. B

3. D

4. D

5. A

6. A

7. B

8. A

9. C

10. A

Reference :- 

A review on bioactive potential of Benzoin Resin

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336825434_A_review_on_bioactive_potential_of_Benzoin_Resin