Introduction: Unorganized drugs — oleo-gum resins are a vital group in pharmacognosy studied by B.Pharm students. These complex natural products contain resinous matter, gummy polysaccharides, and volatile oils; common examples include asafoetida, myrrh, galbanum, and ammoniacum. Understanding their botanical sources, physicochemical properties, extraction methods, identification tests, chromatographic profiles, therapeutic uses, and common adulterants is essential for quality control and formulation development. Mastery of parameters like ash values, solubility, odour, and TLC markers prepares students for practical pharmacopeial analysis and industrial applications. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What best defines ‘unorganized drugs’ in pharmacognosy?
- Drugs derived from mineral ores and salts
- Drugs without definite cellular arrangement, like gums, resins, and oils
- Drugs produced synthetically in laboratories
- Drugs obtained only from animal tissues
Correct Answer: Drugs without definite cellular arrangement, like gums, resins, and oils
Q2. Oleo-gum-resins typically consist of which three major components?
- Alkaloids, tannins, and proteins
- Resin, gum (polysaccharide), and essential oil
- Cellulose, lignin, and starch
- Sugars, amino acids, and vitamins
Correct Answer: Resin, gum (polysaccharide), and essential oil
Q3. Which of the following is an example of an oleo-gum-resin?
- Quinine
- Asafoetida
- Aloe vera gel
- Magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: Asafoetida
Q4. The characteristic pungent odor of asafoetida is mainly due to which constituent?
- Resin acids
- Volatile sulfur-containing compounds
- Polysaccharides
- Fixed oils
Correct Answer: Volatile sulfur-containing compounds
Q5. Which test helps distinguish resinous matter from gum in oleo-gum-resins?
- Solubility in cold water
- Solubility in ether or chloroform
- Colour change with ferric chloride
- Heat test for ash value
Correct Answer: Solubility in ether or chloroform
Q6. Which chromatographic technique is commonly used for fingerprinting oleo-gum-resins?
- Paper electrophoresis
- Thin layer chromatography (TLC)
- Gel permeation chromatography
- Ion exchange chromatography
Correct Answer: Thin layer chromatography (TLC)
Q7. Galbanum is obtained from which plant family?
- Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
- Rutaceae
- Fabaceae
- Solanaceae
Correct Answer: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Q8. Which pharmacognostic parameter indicates inorganic contamination or adulteration in oleo-gum-resins?
- Moisture content
- Total ash and acid-insoluble ash values
- Refractive index
Correct Answer: Total ash and acid-insoluble ash values
Q9. Storax and benzoin are examples of oleo-gum-resins primarily used for:
- Analgesic systemic therapy
- Topical antiseptics only
- Fragrance, topical application, and fixatives in perfumery
- Inorganic supplement formulations
Correct Answer: Fragrance, topical application, and fixatives in perfumery
Q10. Which solvent is preferred to extract volatile oil from an oleo-gum-resin for GC analysis?
- Water
- Petroleum ether or hexane
- Conc. HCl
- Acetone–water (1:1)
Correct Answer: Petroleum ether or hexane
Q11. Myrrh oleo-gum-resin is known for which major therapeutic property?
- Antispasmodic only
- Expectorant, antiseptic and wound-healing properties
- Hypnotic effects
- Diuretic action exclusively
Correct Answer: Expectorant, antiseptic and wound-healing properties
Q12. Which constituent class in oleo-gum-resins is primarily responsible for bitterness and astringency?
- Volatile oils
- Resin acids and phenolic compounds
- Gums (polysaccharides)
- Proteins
Correct Answer: Resin acids and phenolic compounds
Q13. In pharmacopeial monographs, loss on drying for oleo-gum-resins primarily assesses:
- Volatile oil content
- Moisture and volatile matter that may affect stability
- Resin purity
- Ash content
Correct Answer: Moisture and volatile matter that may affect stability
Q14. Which adulterant is commonly found in oleo-gum-resins to increase bulk?
- Sand or earthy matter
- Essential oils
- Pure resin fractions
- Genuine plant bark
Correct Answer: Sand or earthy matter
Q15. The pharmacopoeial assay for resin content often involves which analytical approach?
- Titration with strong base
- Extraction with organic solvent and quantification after evaporation
- Direct gravimetric analysis without extraction
- Colorimetric test with iodine
Correct Answer: Extraction with organic solvent and quantification after evaporation
Q16. Which test differentiates between gum and mucilage in an oleo-gum-resin?
- Viscosity measurement of aqueous solution
- Heating with strong acid
- Reaction with sodium chloride only
- Burn test for fixed carbon
Correct Answer: Viscosity measurement of aqueous solution
Q17. Elemi resin is rich in which type of chemical constituents?
- Sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes (volatile terpenoids)
- Alkaloids
- Saponins
- Glycosides such as digitoxin
Correct Answer: Sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes (volatile terpenoids)
Q18. Which storage condition is most suitable to preserve oleo-gum-resins?
- Exposed to sunlight at room temperature
- Cool, dry, airtight containers protected from light
- High humidity environment
- Open containers in a humid refrigerator
Correct Answer: Cool, dry, airtight containers protected from light
Q19. Ammoniacum oleo-gum-resin is traditionally used for its:
- Laxative properties
- Expectorant and stimulant action in respiratory formulations
- Hypoglycemic effect
- Anticoagulant activity
Correct Answer: Expectorant and stimulant action in respiratory formulations
Q20. Which microscopy feature helps identify resinous fragments in powdered oleo-gum-resins?
- Presence of trichomes only
- Amorphous brownish masses, refractive resinous droplets and fragments of plant cells
- Distinct cuticular cell patterns like in leaves
- Crystalline starch granules
Correct Answer: Amorphous brownish masses, refractive resinous droplets and fragments of plant cells
Q21. Which reagent gives a characteristic color with resin phenolic constituents in spot tests?
- Aniline hydrochloride
- Ferric chloride
- Ninhydrin
- Biuret reagent
Correct Answer: Ferric chloride
Q22. Which parameter is NOT typically used in quality control of oleo-gum-resins?
- Acid-insoluble ash
- Specific gravity of volatile oil fraction
- Total microbial count without considering mycotoxins
- pH of aqueous extract for non-ionizable resins
Correct Answer: pH of aqueous extract for non-ionizable resins
Q23. The term ‘oleo-resin’ specifically indicates the presence of:
- Only gum and mucilage
- Resin combined with volatile (essential) oil
- Proteins and peptides
- Inorganic salts and minerals
Correct Answer: Resin combined with volatile (essential) oil
Q24. Which instrumental method is most suitable to quantify volatile oils in oleo-gum-resins?
- UV-Visible spectrophotometry without extraction
- Gas chromatography (GC) with suitable detector
- Nuclear magnetic resonance for solids only
- Conductometry
Correct Answer: Gas chromatography (GC) with suitable detector
Q25. Which adulteration would dilute the pharmacological potency of an oleo-gum-resin but be difficult to detect by smell?
- Addition of authentic volatile oil
- Addition of inert sugars or starch
- Replacement with a different resin having similar odor
- Mixing with metallic filings
Correct Answer: Addition of inert sugars or starch
Q26. Which of the following is a key medicinal action associated with benzoin resin?
- Systemic anticancer activity
- Use as an expectorant only
- Protective topical applications and as an aromatic stimulant
- Primary role as a diuretic
Correct Answer: Protective topical applications and as an aromatic stimulant
Q27. For TLC analysis of oleo-gum-resin constituents, which visualization technique is frequently used?
- UV light and specific spray reagents (e.g., anisaldehyde, vanillin)
- Electrochemical detection only
- Mass spectrometry directly on plate without visualization
- Polarimetry
Correct Answer: UV light and specific spray reagents (e.g., anisaldehyde, vanillin)
Q28. Which pharmacopoeial parameter helps evaluate microbial safety of oleo-gum-resins used in formulations?
- Total ash
- Total aerobic microbial count and absence of specified pathogens
- Refractive index
- Loss on ignition
Correct Answer: Total aerobic microbial count and absence of specified pathogens
Q29. Which solvent system is commonly used to dissolve resin fraction for gravimetric estimation?
- Cold water
- Alcohol (ethanol) or chloroform depending on resin solubility
- Conc. nitric acid
- 1N sodium hydroxide only
Correct Answer: Alcohol (ethanol) or chloroform depending on resin solubility
Q30. In formulation, oleo-gum-resins can act as which functional excipient?
- Primary sweetening agent
- Fixative, flavoring agent, and protective topical component
- Strong ionic surfactant
- Primary buffer to control pH
Correct Answer: Fixative, flavoring agent, and protective topical component
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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