BALSAM OF PERU

Question 1

Definition of Peru balsam

Answer 1

The aromatic resinous substance flowing spontaneously or by incision of the trunk of Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae (Royle) Klotsch
Family Leguminosae

Question 2

Common names

Answer 2

Black Balsam
Surnam Balsam

Question 3

Biological source of peru

Answer 3

It is obtained by incision of the trunk of name and family, after it has been beaten and scorched at high temperature

Question 4

Geographical source

Answer 4

CVCA
Columbia
Venezuela
Central America

Question 5

Characteristics of Peru balsam

Answer 5

Microscopy, on heating shows presence of balsamic acids
Insoluble in water and olive oil but soluble in alcohol
Odour is aromatic
Taste is bitter

Question 6

What is the relative density of Peru balsam and what is It used for

Answer 6

1.14 to 1.17
To Indicate purity

Question 7

Chemical constituents of Peru balsam

Answer 7

Balsamic esters 45p to 70p
Like benzyl cinnamate 50 to 60
Benzyl benzoate
Cinnamyl cinnamate
Resin 28p
Alcohols
Vanillin and Free cinnamic acid

Question 8

Chemical tests of Peru

Answer 8

Alcoholic solution gives green color with ferric chloride
Its reacts with potassium permanganate to yield benzaldehyde

Question 9

TLC of its ethyl acetate shows how many main spots of benzylic esters

Answer 9

2

Question 10

TLC sprayed with phosphomolybdic acid shows the presence of

Answer 10

Nerolidol

Question 11

Uses of peru

Answer 11

Flavourings
Perfumery
Scabicide and parasiticide
Catarrh
Diarrhoea

Question 12

Marketed product of peru

Answer 12

Aubrey organics Natural sun SPF 12 vitamin c Enriched

Question 13

Collection method of peru

Answer 13

Beating of the 10yrs old tree on four sides in November or December with back of axe or blunt instrument
Till cracking of bark

Two collection methods
Method 1
Cracked bark pulled 2 weeks
Exudates collected(Tolu balsam)
Bark is boiled In water
Small balsam obtained
Method 2
Cracked bark is scorched with torch to separate from trunk
Bark drop within week and flow of balsam
Cover with cloth to absorb resin
Cloth squeeze with rope press
Balsam sink water decanted
Water cooled, balsam separates, strained and packed in tin cans to be exported
8yrs for tree to recover

Question 14

History of peru

Answer 14

Got it’s name when it was first imported in Spain
Came through callap in Peru
Known to monardes
Method of preparation 1576
Collection described and illustrated by Dorat in 1860