AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE FROM EPHEDRA GERARDIENA

摘要

An improved process for the extraction of epherdrine hydrochlo ride from Ephedra gerardiena which comprises steam distilling powdered ephedra herb in presence of alkali and adjusting the pH of of the distillate in the range of 4.5 to 605, concentrating the said distillate and adjusting pH in the range of 7 to 10 then Saturating with sodium chloride and extracting with organic solvent such as herein described removing the said solvent, to obtain crude alkaloids then treating with alcoholic hydrochloric acid in conventional manner followed by crystallisation to obtain ephedrine hydrochloride.