NIS - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization

WHO monographs on medicinal plants commonly used in the Newly Independent States (NIS)
dark brown fragments of the membranous margins of the bracts and
groups of lignified and pitted elongated cells from the central region; occasional
frag ments of the papillose epidermis of the ligulate florets;
small-celled parenchyma containing cluster crystals of calcium oxalate;
pollen grains with a spiny exine (4).
General identity tests
Macroscopic and microscopic examinations (1, 3, 4), and thin-layer chromatography
(1).
Purity tests
Microbiological
Tests for specific microorganisms and microbial contamination limits are
as described in the WHO guidelines on assessing quality of herbal medicines
with reference to contaminants and residues (13).
Foreign organic matter
Flowering tops: not more than 5% of stems with a diameter greater than
3 mm and not more than 2% of other foreign matter (1).
Aerial part: not more than 2% (4).
Total ash
Flowering tops: not more than 10.0% (1).
Aerial part: not more than 10% (4).
Acid-insoluble ash
Flowering tops: not more than 2.5% (1).
Aerial part: not more than 2.5% (4).
Water-soluble extractive
Aerial part: not less than 15.0% (4).
Loss on drying
Flowering tops: not more than 12.0% (1).
Aerial part: not more than 13% (3).
Pesticide residues
The recommended maximum limit of aldrin and dieldrin is not more than
0.05 mg/kg (1). For other pesticides, see the European pharmacopoeia (1)
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