VEGETABLE POWDERS a. Pollen grains. Fig. 84. CROCUS. b. Tissue of style, cells with red coloring matter. c. Trichome of stigma. 76. (Fig. 85.) CUBEBA. Cubeb. U. S. Fl. ex. 60. Tinct. 30. Kubeben, G. Cubebe, poivre à queue, Fr. The unripe fruit of Cubeba Cubeba L. fil., Piperaceae. Characteristically aromatic; somewhat camphoraceous. Thick-walled, very porous sclerenchyma cells; some sclerenchymatous tracheids; endosperm cells with minute simple spherical starch granules; larger, somewhat elongated cells, containing oil. Ash 7 per cent. Powder deteriorates rapidly. Adulterated with cubeb stems (indicated by the presence of small parenchyma cells and abundance of vascular tissue and tracheids); black pepper and other fruits of the Piperaceae; Rhamnus Cathartica fruit, Juniper communis fruit, allspice; powdered nut shells, etc. a. Sclerenchyma. Fig. 85. CUBEBA. b. Endosperm, with oil globules and proteid granules. c. Cells of pericarp. d. Parenchyma of stalk. e. Epidermal cells, vertical view. f. Tracheids. 77. (Fig. 86.) Curcuma. Fine powder. As a spice. Turmeric. The Rhizomes of Curcuma longa L., Scitamineae. Bright orange yellow which disappears in the presence of alkalies. Pungent, somewhat bitter. Typical parenchyma cells filled with the agglurinated pasty starch granules (due to placing in boiling hot water preparatory to drying), forming masses equal in size to lumen of cells. A few unchanged starch granules; simple, irregularly ovoid with the small hilum (a mere dot) at the extreme tip of the abruptly narrowing end; 30μ to 40μ; lamellation distinct, polarizing bands rathet indistinct. A few simple trichomes may be found. Yellow color prevails throughout. Ash 8 per cent. Impurities should not exceed 5 per cent. Not generally adulterated but very much used as an adulterant (in ground mustard, prepared mustard, etc.), and as a coloring substance. An ingredient in curry powders; also forming a well-known test reagent in chemical laboratories. |