World Applied Sciences Journal 33 (1): 136-141, 2015

ISSN 1818-4952
© IDOSI Publications, 2015
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2015.33.01.9263

Extraction and Characterization of Hibiscus rosasinensis

Mucilage as Pharmaceutical Adjuvant

Somya Gupta, Nayyar Parvez and Pramod Kumar Sharma

Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences,

Galgotias University, Greater Noida, U.P. India-203201

Abstract: The objective of the study was to characterize and evaluate the leaves of China rose (Hibiscus
rosasinensis Linn) mucilage as pharmaceutical adjuvant. The mucilage was extracted using distilled water and
isolated by acetone. Different parameters such as tests for carbohydrates, protein, fat, reducing and non-
reducing sugars, alkaloids, tannins, phenolic compounds and other parameters like micromeritic properties,
surface tension, swelling index and viscosity were evaluated for characterizing the extracted mucilage. The
result shows that the extraction of mucilage with water has excellent flow properties. Various phytochemical
tests show that carbohydrates and amino acids were only present. These tests indicate the purity of the
mucilage. The pH and surface tension of 1% solution of mucilage was found to be 6.90 ± 0.011 and 81.62 ± 2.92,
respectively. It has a good swelling index of 66.17 ± 0.462%. The total ash value was found to be 7.57 ± 0.233
%. Extracted mucilage is insoluble in cold water and this property can be utilized for controlling drug delivery.
The results of evaluated parameters showed that Hibiscus rosasinensis mucilage has satisfactory pH and
physicochemical properties, which can be used as pharmaceutical adjuvant in the formulation of various dosage
forms for sustaining the release of the drug.

Key words: Hibiscus rosasinensis Mucilage Isolation Characterization Natural Polysacchrides

Sustained Release

INTRODUCTION together to form large molecules. These gums are

Pharmaceutical excipients are the additives used to
convert pharmacologically active substances into a
dosage form suitable for administration to the patients [1].
The pharmaceutical excipients obtained from the
natural sources are economic and used widely as
compared to the synthetic pharmaceuticals. This is due
to their advantageous properties such as low cost,
relative abundance and biocompatibility as compared
to their synthetic ones. These are used as gelling agent,
lubricating agent, sweetening agent, binding agent,
bulking agent, flavouring agent and suspending agent
[2,3]. In sustained release dosage forms, release of drug
is sustained due to the swelling property of these
polymers by making a gel like thick layer which retard the
release of drug. These polymers can be hydrophilic or
hydrophobic in nature [4].
Natural Gums are naturally occurring polysaccharides
found in plants to which multiple sugar units are linked
pathological products formed by breakdown of cell
following injury to the plant (extracellular formation:
Gummosis). Hence, Natural gums have diverse application
in the pharmaceutical and food industries which are
considered to be safe for human consumption [5].
Mucilage is composed of polysaccharide uranides
and proteins. Mucilage is the metabolized product,
produced within the cell and/or produced without injury
to the plant. The main difference between the gum and
mucilage is that gums are pathological products, while
mucilage is the physiological product [6]. Gum has the
property of swelling in aqueous media forming a highly
viscous solution while mucilage forms slimy mass in
water. Both gum and mucilage are produced by plants
during injury which are amorphous, translucent.
Mucilage, resin, cellulose and gum are differentiated by
the condensation of hexane and pentose [7-9].
Furthermore, natural gums can be used in food
industry in which xanthan gum, flaxseed mucilage and

Corresponding Author: Somya Gupta, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences Galgotias University,
Gautam Buddh Nagar, Greater Noida (U.P.)- 203201, India.
136
 World Appl. Sci. J., 33 (1): 136-141, 2015
mixture have been used to prepare reduced fat
mayonnaise and they can be helpful in reducing fat,
sugar, cholesterol etc. as present time customers look
upon anything natural, which is safe and free from side-
effects [10].
This article emphasises on the extraction and
characterization of mucilage from the leaves of Hibiscus
rosasinensis Linn commonly known as China rose,
belonging to the family Malvaceae and is a potent
medicinal plant [11]. Mucilage of the leaf has anti-
inflammatory activity [12] and reported to have various
medicinal properties such as hypoglycaemic, antioxidant,
antihypertensive activity [13]. Extracts of hibiscus also
shows protective effect against cancer development [14].
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Plant Material: Leaves of Hibiscus rosasinensis were
collected from Gr. Noida (Uttar Pradesh, India) in the
month of October-November, 2014. The plant was
identified by Biotechnology Department, Gautam Buddh
University, Gr. Noida and voucher specimens were
deposited in that Department.
Extraction Procedure: Hibiscus rosasinensis (China rose)
was procured from the local area of Greater Noida, India.
Collected leaves was carefully washed and dried under
shade for 24 h and then further dried in oven at 30-40°C.
Size was reduced with the help of grinder. Powdered
leaves were passed through sieve no. #22 and then used
for further evaluation.
Extraction of mucilage includes 3 steps.
Step 1: Extraction of Mucilage: Powdered leaves of
Hibiscus rosasinensis were used for the extraction of
mucilage. The powdered leaves are placed in 1000ml
beaker containing 500ml of distilled water and allowed it
to boil for at least 3-4 h with continuous stirring and
heating at 60°C for sufficient release of mucilage in water.
Concentrated solution was then filtered through muslin
cloth in order to separate marc from the filtrate and
refrigerated for cooling (3-4°C) [15].
Step 2: Isolation of Mucilage: To the extract, acetone was
added to the quantity, three times the volume of filtrate for
precipitation of mucilage to occur. The precipitated
mucilage was washed with acetone and then collected
through filtration by muslin cloth. Mucilage was further
dried in hot air oven at a temperature less than 40°C. The
obtained dried mucilage was grinded and passed through
sieve #80 and finally stored in air tight container [16].
137
Physicochemical Characterization of Isolated Mucilage
Organoleptic Characterization of Isolated Mucilage: The
extracted mucilage was characterized for various
parameters like color, odor, taste, texture and fracture [17].
Identification Tests: The Aqueous extracts of the
mucilage was prepared and mixed with Molish’s reagent
followed by addition of sulphuric acid. Appearance of
violet color ring at junction shows the presence of
carbohydrates [18].
Determination of Purity of Mucilage: Purity of extracted
mucilage was measured by performing tests like alkaloids,
glycosides, proteins, gum, fat, tannins and amino acids
[15-16].
Swelling Index: It was calculated by weighing a butter
paper of size 2X2 cm. then butter paper was dipped in a
Petridish containing water and reweighed. After this 10
mg of the powdered sample was kept in a butter paper
placing this on a Petridish containing 15 ml of water and
the swelling index was calculated after 24 h and the final
result was calculated using the formulae [17].
Initial Weight – Final weight
Swelling Index = -------------------------------------- x 100 (1)
Initial Weight
pH of Mucilage: The pH of 1% w/v solution in water was
determined using digital pH meter [17].
Solubility of Mucilage: Solubility was determined by
shaking the powdered mucilage in different solvent such
as acetone, ethyl alcohol, benzene, chloroform and
glycerine [19].
Micromeritic Properties
Bulk Density and Bulkiness: Fixed quantities of the
isolated mucilage were transferred into a graduated
measuring cylinder. The cylinder was placed on the bulk
density apparatus and the volume covered by the
mucilage was noted down. Then, the powder was tapped
in a bulk density apparatus until a constant volume was
obtained. The final bulk volume was noted [20]. Bulk
density, tapped density and bulkiness were calculated
using the equations 2, 3, 4.
Weight of powder
Bulk density = ------------------------------------- (2)
Weight of apparent volume
 World Appl. Sci. J., 33 (1): 136-141, 2015
Weight of powder
Tapped Density = -----------------------------------
Tapped volume
1
Bulkiness = -----------------------
Bulkiness
Angle of Repose: Angle of repose was determined by
fixed height funnel method. The height (h) of the heap
formed was measured and the radius (r) of the cone base
was also observed and calculated [21, 22].
As, angle of repose was calculated using the
equation 5:
tan = h/r
= Angle of repose
h = Height of pile
r = Radius of pile
Carr’s Consolidation Index (Compressibility) and
Hausner’s Ratio: Finely powdered mucilage (5gm) was
transferred into a measuring cylinder and compressibility,
Hausner’s ratio were calculated using bulk density
apparatus [23].
Tapped density – Bulk density x 100
Carr’s Index = -------------------------------------------------------
Tapped density
Tapped Density
Hausner’s Ratio = --------------------------------------
Bulk Density
Particle Size Determination: Particle size of the
powdered mucilage was determined using optical
microscope; and calculated using the equations (8), (9).
Size of the particles = No. of particles in eye piece X
calibration Factor (8)
Stage reading
Calibration Factor = ------------------------------ X 0.01
Ocular reading
Surface Tension: Surface tension of the powdered
mucilage was measured using stalagmometer, using drop
weight method [16]. Binding property of the polymer is
related to surface tension.
Viscosity: viscosity of 1% polymer solution was
(3) measured by Ostwald viscometer in which, the flow times
of isolated polymer solution was compared with that of
liquid whose viscosity is known [17].
(4)
Ash Value: 2 g of powdered mucilage was weighed
accurately in a china dish and kept in muffle furnace
(500°C) until the powdered sample is converted into ash
and then reweighed [16]. Ash value was calculated using
the equation (10).
Weight of ash
Total Ash value = -------------------------------- X 100 (10)
Weight of polymer
(5)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Isolated mucilage was subjected to various
evaluation parameters. Various chemical tests were
performed for confirmation of various phytoconstituents.
Hibiscus rosasinensis mucilage gave positive test for
carbohydrates and amino acids and negative test for
alkaloid, tannins, protein, fat and oils. Thus, it confirms
that the mucilage contains carbohydrates and amino
acids. Other phytoconstituents as proteins, gum, fat,
alkaloid and tannins were absent in isolated mucilage as
depicted in table 1.
(6) Isolated mucilage was evaluated for organoleptic
properties. It has mucilaginous taste and has
characteristic odour. Fracture and texture was found to be
rough and irregular. The results are shown in table 2.
The mucilage isolated from Hibiscus rosasinensis was
(7) soluble in warm water and slightly soluble in cold water
and insoluble in benzene, ether, chloroform, n-butanol,
ethanol, acetone, glycerine, paraffin.
Various micromeritic studies was done for the
mucilage as carr’s index, angle of repose, bulk
density, true density, bulkiness for flow behaviour.
The angle of repose of the isolated mucilage was
found to be 7.968 ± 0.755. It shows that it has excellent
flow property.
The bulkiness and Carr’s index value indicate that
(9) powder is heavy in nature and shows excellent flow
properties as value of Carr’s index is 7.33 ± 1.98.
The results are shown in table 3.
pH of 1% solution was found to be 6.90 ± 0.011 which
is non-irritating to the mucous membrane. This shows
good compatibility of the mucilage. Swelling index of
isolated mucilage was found to be 66.17% ± 0.462%
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 World Appl. Sci. J., 33 (1): 136-141, 2015

Fig. 1: IR spectrum of Hibiscus rosasinensis mucilage

Table 1: Phytochemical tests of isolated mucilage Table 4: Functional groups and peaks in IR spectra of Hibiscus
S.No. Test Present/absent rosasinensis mucilage
1. Carbohydrates + S. No. Functional Group Peak (Frequency) (cm 1)
2. Hexose sugar - 1. 1038.56 C-H bend out of plane
3. Monosaccharides - 2. 1250.22 C-O bend ethers, aromatics
4. Proteins - 3. 1369.37 C-H rock
5. Fats and Oils - 4. 1420.56 C-H bend
5. 1455.60 C-H bend
6. Tannins and Phenolic compounds -
6. 1540.36 Amide
7. Alkaloids -
7. 1678.48 Alkyne
8. Amino acids +
8. 1723.68 Ketone
+ Present, - Absent
9. 1740.00 Carboxylic acid

Table 2: Organoleptic characterization of Hibiscus rosasinensis

describing high swelling property and this property can
S.No. Organoleptic properties Result
be utilized in retarding the drug release up to desired time
1. Color Green
period and can be used in formulating controlled drug
2. Odor Characteristics
delivery.
3. Taste Mucilaginous
Surface tension of 1% solution was found to be 81.62
4. Texture Irregular
5. Fracture Rough
± 2.92. It shows better penetrating and wetting ability of
mucilage dispersion over the powder mass. Viscosity of
Table 3: Micromeritic study data of isolated mucilage 1% solution was found to be 12.235 ± 0.070. The ash value
S. No. Parameters Result (±S.D) of isolated mucilage was done to characterize the gum and
1. Swelling Index 66.17%±0.462 comes out to be 7.57 ± 0.233 as shown in table 3.
2. pH 6.90±0.011 A bruker ATR (Model-ALPHA, laser class- I, serial
3. Surface tension (dyne/cm) 81.62±2.92 No. 200301, made in Germany) spectra showed that
4. Bulk Density (gm/ml) 0.508±0.006 Hibiscus rosasinensis mucilage contains carboxylic acid,
5. Bulkiness (ml/g) 1.968±0.027 ketone, amide, alkyne etc. as shown in fig.No.1 and the
6. Tapped Density (gm/ml) 0.55±0.008 peak of these groups are shown in Table 4.
7. Angle of repose (°) 7.968±0.755
8. Carr’s Index (%) 7.33±1.98 CONCLUSION
9. Hausner’s Ratio (%) 1.08±0.03
10. Mean Particle Size ( ) 165.38±15.48
From the whole study, it can be concluded that
11. Viscosity (poise) 12.235±0.070
mucilage isolated from the leaves of Hibiscus rosasinensis
12. Ash Value (%) 7.57±0.233
can be used as pharmaceutical adjuvant for drug delivery.

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 World Appl. Sci. J., 33 (1): 136-141, 2015
The isolated polymer has pH value 6.9, so non-irritant in 8.
nature and has good biocompatibility. Various
physicochemical studies showed that it was acceptable, 9.
suitable and has potential to be used as formulation
additive in novel drug delivery systems for controlled
drug delivery. 10.
Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of
interest on the manuscript.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
11.
The authors are very thankful to the Department of
Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences,
Galgotias University, Greater Noida and NISCAIR
(National Institute of Science Communication and 12.
Information Resources), New Delhi, India for providing
facilities in the completion of this manuscript.
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