Herbal excipients are plant-derived substances widely used in pharmaceutics as colorants, sweeteners, binders, diluents, viscosity builders, disintegrants, flavors and perfumes. For B. Pharm students, mastering the chemistry, functionality and selection criteria of natural polymers and phytochemicals—such as starch, pectin, cellulose, gum acacia, xanthan, guar, stevia, carotenoids and essential oils—is vital for effective formulation design. Emphasis on physicochemical properties, extraction, standardization, stability, microbial control and regulatory acceptance links phytochemistry and pharmaceutics. Understanding interactions with active pharmaceutical ingredients and processing constraints supports safe, stable and patient-friendly products. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which of the following best defines herbal excipients?
- Substances derived from plants used to perform non-therapeutic functions in formulations
- Any active herbal ingredient providing therapeutic effect
- Only volatile oils extracted from plants
- Synthetic polymers used in herbal formulations
Correct Answer: Substances derived from plants used to perform non-therapeutic functions in formulations
Q2. Which herbal excipient is commonly used as a natural binder in tablet formulations?
- Xanthan gum
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
- Gum acacia (Arabic gum)
- Magnesium stearate
Correct Answer: Gum acacia (Arabic gum)
Q3. Which plant-derived excipient is widely used as a viscosity builder in liquid formulations?
- Guar gum
- Sodium alginate (synthetic)
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Sorbitol
Correct Answer: Guar gum
Q4. Which herbal disintegrant acts by swelling when wetted to break tablet matrix?
- Starch
- Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)
- Silicon dioxide
- Stevia
Correct Answer: Starch
Q5. Which natural colorant is a fat-soluble carotenoid commonly used in formulations?
- Anthocyanin
- Curcumin
- Beta-carotene
- Betanin
Correct Answer: Beta-carotene
Q6. Which herbal sweetener is a non-caloric glycoside extracted from Stevia rebaudiana?
- Sucrose
- Stevioside (stevia glycoside)
- Glucose
- Fructose
Correct Answer: Stevioside (stevia glycoside)
Q7. Which property makes gum acacia suitable as an emulsifier and flavor carrier?
- High lipid solubility
- Surface-active amphiphilic nature and high molecular weight polysaccharide chains
- Strong acidic pH
- Low molecular weight volatile components
Correct Answer: Surface-active amphiphilic nature and high molecular weight polysaccharide chains
Q8. Which herbal excipient is a common diluent in tablets and capsules derived from plant cellulose?
- Sodium chloride
- Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)
- Magnesium stearate
- Sorbitol
Correct Answer: Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)
Q9. Anthocyanin colorants from berries show maximum color change with which factor?
- Temperature only
- pH changes
- Presence of heavy metals only
- Light exclusively
Correct Answer: pH changes
Q10. Which herbal excipient is especially used as a natural flavor and perfume in oral preparations due to its menthol content?
- Clove oil
- Peppermint oil
- Cinnamon bark powder
- Turmeric oleoresin
Correct Answer: Peppermint oil
Q11. Which analytical parameter is most important for standardization of a herbal colorant like curcumin?
- Moisture content only
- Assay for marker compound (curcumin content)
- pH of aqueous extract only
- Viscosity measurement
Correct Answer: Assay for marker compound (curcumin content)
Q12. Natural sweeteners like honey or syrups can cause formulation challenges primarily due to:
- High lipid content
- Hygroscopicity and microbial growth risk
- Strong basic pH
- Insolubility in all solvents
Correct Answer: Hygroscopicity and microbial growth risk
Q13. Which herbal viscosity builder forms gels in the presence of divalent cations and is used in topical gels?
- Agar
- Guar gum
- Sodium alginate (plant-derived polysaccharide)
- Pectin
Correct Answer: Sodium alginate (plant-derived polysaccharide)
Q14. For selecting a natural disintegrant, which mechanism is most desirable for rapid tablet breakup?
- Wetting and rapid swelling
- Formation of viscous gel layer
- Hydrophobic coating
- Crosslinking with API
Correct Answer: Wetting and rapid swelling
Q15. Which herb-derived excipient is commonly used to mask unpleasant taste and act as a flavoring agent?
- Turmeric powder
- Gum acacia with essential oils
- Calcium carbonate
- Activated charcoal
Correct Answer: Gum acacia with essential oils
Q16. What is a common stability concern for essential oil-based perfumes in herbal formulations?
- pH-independent color change
- Oxidation leading to rancidity and odor change
- Complete insolubility in lipids
- Loss of hygroscopicity
Correct Answer: Oxidation leading to rancidity and odor change
Q17. Which test helps determine microbial acceptability of syrup containing natural sweeteners?
- Ash value
- Total viable microbial count and absence of specific pathogens
- Viscosity only
- Melting point
Correct Answer: Total viable microbial count and absence of specific pathogens
Q18. Which natural polymer is preferred for sustained-release matrices due to gel-forming and viscosity properties?
- Starch (native)
- Guar gum and xanthan gum blends
- Sucrose
- Stevioside
Correct Answer: Guar gum and xanthan gum blends
Q19. Which herbal excipient can cause complexation and reduced bioavailability when used with alkaloid APIs?
- Pectin
- Tannins (polyphenols)
- Starch
- Guar gum
Correct Answer: Tannins (polyphenols)
Q20. Which parameter is critical when using plant-derived dyes in ophthalmic formulations?
- Bulk density
- Sterility and non-irritancy
- Viscosity only
- Ash value
Correct Answer: Sterility and non-irritancy
Q21. Which herbal excipient is a natural anionic polysaccharide obtained from seaweed and used as a gelling agent?
- Gum acacia
- Agar or carrageenan
- Starch
- Menthol
Correct Answer: Agar or carrageenan
Q22. Which factor primarily affects color stability of anthocyanin-based excipients in formulations?
- Ambient oxygen only
- pH, light exposure and temperature
- Magnetic fields
- Evaporation rate only
Correct Answer: pH, light exposure and temperature
Q23. Which herbal excipient is commonly used as a tablet lubricant? (Choose most appropriate plant-derived lubricant)
- Magnesium stearate (mineral-derived)
- Stearic acid from plant fats
- Sodium chloride
- Acacia powder
Correct Answer: Stearic acid from plant fats
Q24. When replacing synthetic excipients with herbal alternatives, which regulatory aspect is most important?
- Color matching only
- Demonstration of safety, compatibility and consistent quality (specifications)
- Lower production cost only
- Supplier country of origin only
Correct Answer: Demonstration of safety, compatibility and consistent quality (specifications)
Q25. Which herbal excipient is used as a natural humectant and sweetener in lozenges?
- Menthol crystals
- Sorbitol or honey
- Magnesium carbonate
- Guar gum
Correct Answer: Sorbitol or honey
Q26. Which analytical parameter measures inorganic contamination in herbal excipients?
- Limit test for heavy metals and total ash
- Viscosity measurement
- Loss on drying only
- Melting point
Correct Answer: Limit test for heavy metals and total ash
Q27. Which herbal disintegrant is chemically modified starch used for faster tablet breakup?
- Sodium starch glycolate
- Native potato starch only
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Gelatin
Correct Answer: Sodium starch glycolate
Q28. Which natural excipient is particularly useful as a flavor enhancer and has antimicrobial properties in formulations?
- Turmeric powder only
- Essential oils like clove or cinnamon oil
- Cellulose powder
- Calcium phosphate
Correct Answer: Essential oils like clove or cinnamon oil
Q29. What is a major analytical challenge when standardizing herbal excipients compared to synthetic excipients?
- Herbal excipients have constant composition
- High batch-to-batch variability in phytochemical composition necessitating marker assays
- Synthetic excipients are always impure
- No regulatory requirements exist
Correct Answer: High batch-to-batch variability in phytochemical composition necessitating marker assays
Q30. Which practice improves the microbiological stability of herbal syrup formulations containing natural sweeteners?
- Eliminating preservatives and relying on sweetness only
- Adjusting syrup to low water activity, adding approved preservatives and using good manufacturing practice
- Storing at high humidity
- Increasing pH to alkaline range without testing
Correct Answer: Adjusting syrup to low water activity, adding approved preservatives and using good manufacturing practice
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.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com