Spirulina, Soybean, Ginseng, Garlic, Broccoli, Green/Herbal Tea, Flax seeds, Turmeric: sources and marker compounds MCQs With Answer

Introduction: Spirulina, Soybean, Ginseng, Garlic, Broccoli, Green/Herbal Tea, Flax seeds and Turmeric are widely studied in pharmacognosy for their therapeutic potential and use as standardized botanical ingredients. This quiz set focuses on botanical sources, characteristic marker compounds, biochemical transformations, and analytical approaches relevant to quality control and standardization. Designed for M.Pharm students taking Advanced Pharmacognosy I (MPG 102T), the questions emphasize critical markers such as phycocyanin, isoflavones, ginsenosides, allicin, glucosinolates/sulforaphane, catechins/EGCG, SDG, ALA and curcumin, plus practical considerations in extraction and analysis. Use these MCQs to reinforce identification, assay choices and stability issues important for herbal drug development and evaluation.

Q1. Which organism is the commonly cultivated source of food-grade Spirulina used in supplements?

• Arthrospira platensis
• Chlorella vulgaris
• Nostoc commune
• Spirulina maxima (as a misnomer)

Correct Answer: Arthrospira platensis

Q2. Which compound is the principal blue pigment and a key analytical marker for Spirulina quality?

• Phycocyanin (C-phycocyanin)
• Chlorophyll a
• Astaxanthin
• B-carotene

Correct Answer: Phycocyanin (C-phycocyanin)

Q3. What is the botanical name of the cultivated soybean, the major source of soy isoflavones?

• Glycine max
• Phaseolus vulgaris
• Vigna radiata
• Glycine soja

Correct Answer: Glycine max

Q4. Which isoflavone is commonly used as a marker compound in soybean phytochemical analysis?

• Genistein
• Quercetin
• Resveratrol
• Curcumin

Correct Answer: Genistein

Q5. The characteristic class of bioactive marker compounds in Panax ginseng are:

• Ginsenosides (triterpenoid saponins)
• Anthraquinones
• Isoflavones
• Alkylamides

Correct Answer: Ginsenosides (triterpenoid saponins)

Q6. Which specific ginsenoside is frequently quantified as a quality marker in ginseng preparations?

• Ginsenoside Rb1
• Glycyrrhizin
• Ginkgolide B
• Epigallocatechin gallate

Correct Answer: Ginsenoside Rb1

Q7. In intact garlic cloves the major sulfur-containing precursor that is enzymatically converted on crushing is:

• Alliin (S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide)
• Allicin
• Ajoene
• Diallyl disulfide

Correct Answer: Alliin (S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide)

Q8. Which compound is produced enzymatically when garlic is crushed and is often used as a pharmacological marker despite its instability?

• Allicin
• S-allyl cysteine
• Alliin
• Methylsulfonylmethane

Correct Answer: Allicin

Q9. Which glucosinolate is the precursor to the chemoprotective isothiocyanate sulforaphane found in broccoli?

• Glucoraphanin
• Sinalbin
• Sinigrin
• Glucoiberin

Correct Answer: Glucoraphanin

Q10. Which plant enzyme catalyzes conversion of glucoraphanin to sulforaphane upon plant tissue damage?

• Myrosinase (thioglucoside glucohydrolase)
• Peroxidase
• Polyphenol oxidase
• β-Glucosidase specific to flavonoids

Correct Answer: Myrosinase (thioglucoside glucohydrolase)

Q11. The major catechin used as a marker for green tea antioxidant activity is:

• Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
• Quercetin
• Kaempferol
• Resveratrol

Correct Answer: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

Q12. Which amino acid-like constituent unique to Camellia sinensis contributes to relaxation and is used as an indicator in green tea profiling?

• L-theanine
• L-tryptophan
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
• Histidine

Correct Answer: L-theanine

Q13. The principal lignan used as a marker compound in flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) analysis is:

• Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG)
• Pinoresinol
• Sesamin
• Enterodiol

Correct Answer: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG)

Q14. Which essential fatty acid is particularly abundant in flax seeds and often quantified as a quality parameter?

• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3)
• Linoleic acid (omega-6)
• Oleic acid (omega-9)
• Arachidonic acid

Correct Answer: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3)

Q15. The major curcuminoid marker in turmeric (Curcuma longa) used for standardization is:

• Curcumin (diferuloylmethane)
• Demethoxycurcumin is the only marker
• Turmerone
• Gingerol

Correct Answer: Curcumin (diferuloylmethane)

Q16. Which solvent is commonly used for efficient extraction of curcuminoids from turmeric for HPLC analysis?

• Ethanol (or hydroalcoholic solvent)
• Petroleum ether
• Hexane
• Pure water only

Correct Answer: Ethanol (or hydroalcoholic solvent)

Q17. Which compound derived from broccoli is most associated with induction of phase II detoxification enzymes and is quantified as a bioactive marker?

• Sulforaphane
• Indole-3-carbinol
• Glucobrassicin
• Phenethyl isothiocyanate

Correct Answer: Sulforaphane

Q18. For sensitive and specific profiling of complex ginsenoside mixtures in ginseng extracts, which analytical technique is preferred?

• LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry)
• Thin layer chromatography (TLC) with vanillin
• Simple colorimetric assay
• Paper chromatography

Correct Answer: LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry)

Q19. Which statement best describes the stability of allicin in processed garlic preparations?

• Allicin is chemically unstable and rapidly decomposes to other sulfur compounds
• Allicin is highly stable at high temperatures and during storage
• Allicin is a non-reactive sugar-derived compound
• Allicin concentrates increase during prolonged storage

Correct Answer: Allicin is chemically unstable and rapidly decomposes to other sulfur compounds

Q20. Which approach is commonly used for standardization of turmeric-containing pharmaceutical/herbal formulations?

• Specification of total curcumin content determined by HPLC
• Only organoleptic assessment (color and odor)
• Protein content assay
• Measurement of chlorophyll content

Correct Answer: Specification of total curcumin content determined by HPLC

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