Mohd. Imtiyaz Ahmad et al.

/ Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),22-25

Research Article Available online through
ISSN: 0974-6943 http://jprsolutions.info
Quality standards of fruits of Cucumis sativus Linn.
Mohd. Imtiyaz Ahmad1, S. H. Ansari*2, Kamran Javed Naquvi2, Mohd. Shuaib3
1
Azad Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Azadpur, Lucknow, U.P.
2
Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-110062, India.
3
Kalka Institute for Research & Advanced Studies, Meerut-250006, Uttar Pradesh.
Received on:22-11-2011; Revised on: 15-12-2011; Accepted on:10-01-2012

ABSTRACT
Cucumis sativus L. belonging to Cucurbitaceae family is commonly known as Cucumber (English), Khira (Hindi), Sakusa (Sanskrit), a trailing or climbing
annual, probably indigenous to North India. It is found wildly in the Himalayan regions and also cultivated throughout India. Standardization of C. sativum
as per WHO guidelines including macroscopy and microscopy, ash values, extractive values, loss on drying, phytochemical screening, fluorescence analysis,
bitterness value, foaming index, determination of pH, determination of fat content and resin content, determination of microbial load, pesticide residue, heavy
metal analysis. These observation will enable to standardize the botanical identify of the drug in its crude form. Data’s evolved in this investigation could be
used in laying down pharmacopoeial standards for the drug studied, as standardization of herbal medicines is absolutely essential and is need of the hour.

Keywords: Cucumis sativus, Cucurbitaceae, quality standards, WHO guidelines.

INTRODUCTION
Cucumis sativus Linn. (Family Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as Kheera be help full in differentiation of the substitute of the drug supplied in the
in Hindi, is slender and densely hispidly, hairly trailing annual herb cultivated form of dried powder. Slides of powdered fruit material were prepared and
in all parts of India up to an altitude of 1200 m, especially in northern India studied. Microphotography on different magnifications was carried out with
and in warm and temperate countries throughout the World. Previous re- motic microscopic unit. Polarized light was used for the study of crystals,
ported phytoconstituents are cucurbitacin C [1], pectin [2], codisterol, 25(27)- starch granules and lignified cell. [15]
dehydroporiferasterol [3], galactinol [4], (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, (Z)-2-nonenal,
(E)-2-nonenal, methyl-2-methylbutanoate, (Z)-3-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenal, Physicochemical Standardization
ethyl-2-methylpropanoate [5], 8,16- dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid [6], The various physico-chemical values of fruits such as ash values, [16] extrac-
cucurbitacins B, C, D, and I [7]. The previous reported bioactivities are anti- tive values, [17] loss on drying were determined according to the Pharmaco-
allergic [8], antihypertensive [9], anti-fungal [10], antidiabetic [11], antioxidant [12], poeial method.
antidermatitis [13], antiaging activity [14]. Present paper deals with the stan-
dardization of C. sativum as per WHO guidelines. Phytochemical screening
The phytochemical evaluation of drug was carried out as per the method
MATERIAL AND METHODS described. Previously dried powdered fruits (5 gm) were extracted in a Soxhlet
apparatus with petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water succes-
Crude drug sively. The extracts were evaporated to dryness under vacuum. These extract
Cucumber fruits (Kheera) were bought from a local market (Sangam Vihar) in were used for the analysis of different phyto-constituents viz. alkaloids,
New Delhi. Fruits were identified as Cucumis sativus Linn. by Dr. H. B. carbohydrates, phenolics, flavonoids, proteins, amino acids, saponins, muci-
Singh, and the voucher specimens (NISCAIR/RHMD/Consult/-2007-08/821/ lage and resins etc. [18, 19]
05) are deposited in the Raw Materials Herbarium & Museum, National
Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) Fluorescence Analysis
New Delhi. All the chemicals and reagents used were of analytical grade. Many herbs fluorescence when cut surface or powder is exposed to UV light
and this can help in their identification method. The fluorescence character of
Morphological studies the plant powders (40 mesh) was studied both in daylight and UV light (254
Proper examination of the untreated sample of fruits of Cucumis sativus was and 366 nm) and after treatment with different reagents like sodium hydrox-
carried out under diffused sunlight and artificial source similar to day light. [15] ide, picric acid, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, iodine, ferric chlo-
ride etc [20].
Powder microscopy
The microscopic examination of powdered fruit material was performed to Powdered drug reaction with different reagents
detect and established various identifying microscopic characters which will The powdered drug was treated separately with different reagents and acids
like, picric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, iodine, ferric chloride, and
*Corresponding author. sodium hydroxide the colour shown by that treatment is noted as such and
under the microscope [21].
Prof. S. H. Ansari,
Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry,
Loss on drying
Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard,
The powdered drug sample (10 gm) without preliminary drying was placed
New Delhi - 110 062, India.
on a tarred evaporating dish and dried at 105 ºC for 6 hours and weighed. The
drying was continued until two successive reading matches each other or the

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 Mohd. Imtiyaz Ahmad et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),22-25
difference between two successive weighing was not more than 0.25%. Con-
stant weight was reached when two consecutive weighing after drying for 30
minutes in a desiccator, showed not more than 0.01 gm difference [22].
Bitterness value
Bitters are the medicinal plant materials that have a strong bitter taste and are
employed therapeutically, mostly as appetizing agents. Their bitterness stimu-
lates secretions in the gastro intestinal tract, especially of gastric juice [15].
Foaming index
About 1 g of plant material was reduced to a coarse powder, weighed accu-
rately and transferred at moderate boiling for 30 minutes. Cooled and filtered
into 100 ml volumetric flask. The detection was poured into 10 ml and
adjusted the volume of liquid in each tube with water to 10 ml. Stoppered the
tubes and was shaken them in a lengthwise motion for 15 sec.; two shakes
per second. Allowed to stand for 15 minutes and the height of foam were
measured [15].
Determination of pH
Microscopical characters of powdered drugs
Xylem elements
Broken pieces of xylem elements, in bundles and solitary elements are com-
mon in the powder. Sometimes venation is also evident (Fig. 1.1). In the
bundle xylem, the elements have annular (ringlike) thickening or helical (spi-
ral) thickenings (Fig. 1.2). The elements are long and narrow tubes. The intact
bundles of xylem elements are 30-70 µm. thick. Individual elements are 20
µm. wide.
Epicarp of the pericarp
The epidermal peelings of the pericarp (fruit-wall) are seen in small frag-
ments in the powder. The epidermal cells in surface view appear small in size
and polyhedral in outline. The wall is thick and consists of cellulose. Dark
inclusions are seen with in the cell cavity. Among the polyhedral cells, these
are narrow circular, thick walled cells. These cells are basal cells of the
epidermal trichomes (Fig. 1.3). The trichome bearing cells are surrounded by
a circle of radially elongated rosette-cells (Fig. 1.4). The epidermal cells are
15 µm wide; the trichome bearing cells are 10 µm in diameter.

pH 1% solution
Dissolved an accurately weighed 1 g of the drug in accurately measured 100
ml of distilled water, filtered and checked pH of the filtrate with a standard-
ized glass electrode [22].

pH 10% solution
Dissolved an accurately weighed 10 g of the drug in accurately measured 100
ml of distilled water, filtered and checked pH of the filtrate with a standard-
ized glass electrode [23].

Determination of fat content

A weighed quantity of sample (3g) is extracted with anhydrous ether in a
continuous extraction apparatus for six hours the extract is filtered into a
clean dry weighed flask. The extraction flask is rinsed with small quantity of
ether, filtered and added to the weighed flask. The solvent is evaporated and
dried to constant weight at 105ºC [24]. Fig. 1.1

Determination of resin content

The accurately weighed drug sample (5 g) was rapidly refluxed with acetone
(3 X 200ml) for 6 hours to exhaust the drug for the resin content. The excess
solvent was removed by distillation on a water bath. The residue so obtained
was suspended in water and transferred to a separating funnel, repeatedly
extracted the suspension with solvent ether (2 X 200ml) to extract all the
resin contents. The ether extracts were cooled out dried over anhydrous
sodium sulphate and excess ether removed over a water bath. It was trans-
ferred to a weighed beaker and the final weight is noted [24].Determination of
microbial counts, pesticide residue, heavy metal analysis contents was also
done as per WHO guidelines [15].

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Morphological characters

External colour : Light green

Size : 12-16 cm long, 5-7 cm diameter
Shape : Cylandrical Fig. 1.2
Apex : Blunt
Fig. 1.1 & 1.2: A portion of vein which has forked into two branches.
Surface : Smooth
(XS: Xylem strands of the veins); A bundle of xylem elements, most of
Odour : Nil
them having spiral thickenings. Also seen ground parenchyma masses.
(GP: Ground parenchyma; XE: Xylem elements).

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 Mohd. Imtiyaz Ahmad et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),22-25
ASH VALUES
The total ash value, acid insoluble ash value and water soluble ash value were
found to be 10.408 %, 2.892 % and 6.833 % w/w respectively. Ash value is useful
in determining authenticity and purity of drug and also these values are impor-
tant quantitative standards.

Table 2: Powdered drug reaction with different reagents

S. Chemical Observation
No. treatment

1. Iodine Reddish brown

2. 50% HNO3 Light green
3. 1N H2SO4 Brown
4. Lead acetate Light yellow
5. Picric acid Yellow
6. Sodium hydroxide (5%) Light brown
Fig. 1.3 7. Glacial acetic acid Light brown
8. Ferric chloride (5%) Brown
9. 1N HCL Dark brown
10. KOH (1%) Orange

Table 3: Fluorescence analysis

The powder of the fruits of Cucumis sativus (mesh size 40) was examined under
daylight and UV light. The observation was recorded as under:

S. Treatment Day light UV light UV light

No. 254 nm 366 nm

1. Powder as such Light brown Light brown Brown

2. Powder treated with dist. Water Light brown Light brown Dark brown
3. Powder treated with 1N NaOH in water Dark brown Light black Black
4. Powder treated with 1N NaOH in methanol Dark brown Light green Black
5. Powder treated with 50% HNO3 Brown Green Black
6. Powder treated with 50% HCl Light brown Light green Dark brown
7. Powder treated with Conc. HCl Dark brown Light black Dark black
8. Powder treated with H2SO4 Dark brown Black Dark black
9. Powder treated with Acetone Light green Green Light brown
Fig. 1.4 10. Powder treated with CHCl3 Light green Green Dark brown
Fig. 1.3 & 1.4: Fragment of the epicarp in surface view. (RC: Rosette
cells encircling the trichome bearing cells); Epicarp cells-enlarged. Table 4: Phytochemical Screening
(RC: Rosette cells encircling the trichome bearing cells; Tr: Trichome
Extract constituents Extracts
bearing cells.) Pet. Chloroform Acetone Alcoholic Hydro- Aqueous
Ether alcoholic
Extractive values
The extractive values the dried fruits of drug were done as per procedure Alkaloids - - - - - -
described above. All the procedure was repeated in triplicate. The mean Carbohydrates - - - + + +
Glycosides - - - + + +
values are given below: Phenolics compounds - - - + ++ +
Flavonoids - - - + + +
Table 1: Extractive values Proteins & amino acids - - - + - -
Extraction Extractive value, Mean (%) Saponins - - - - - -
Petroleum Chloroform Acetone Alcoholic Hydro Aqueous Acidic compounds - - - - - -
Mucilage - - - - - -
ether alcoholic Resins - - - + + +
Lipids/fats - - - - - -
Hot 0.530 3.848 5.313 20.392 29.058 21.163 Sterols - + ++ ++ ++ ++
Cold 2.111 6.510 8.823 34.115 44.730 42.709
Successive 1.379 2.857 2.566 9.034 10.876 15.326 ( ++) Strongly Positive, (+) Positive test, (-) Negative test
Foaming index
The height of the foam in every tube was less than 1 cm, so the foaming index
was less than 100.

Loss on drying
The mean loss on drying was found to be 7.8919 %.

Bitterness value
Bitterness value was found to be 2.30.

Resin content
The mean resinous matter was found to be 0.708 %.

pH values
The mean pH value of 1 % solution and 10 % solution was found to be 5.77
Figure 2: Extractive values and 5.59, respectively.

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 Mohd. Imtiyaz Ahmad et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(1),22-25
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Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared

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