Biopharmaceutical and microbiological research of fennel fruit infusions

Aim. To develop and study physico-chemical, pharmaco-technological, pharmacognostic and microbiological quality indicators of infusions obtained by extraction of the plant raw material of fennel fruits of different degrees of grinding and from different types of packaging. Materials and methods. The study objects were model samples of fennel fruits of different degrees of grinding and water extracts obtained on their basis and from different types of packaging. Water extracts were prepared according to the SPhU method and the patient information leaflet on fennel fruits. The study of pH of solutions, extractives, identification of the main biologically active substances (BAS), and microbiological purity of water extracts were performed by the SPhU methods; the quantitative determination of the essential oil was conducted by direct alkalimetric titration with 0.01 mol/l NaOH solution in the presence of methylene blue and phenolphthalein indicators according to the Guidelines of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Results and discussion. Extractives in model samples of infusions obtained from filter bags vary from 0.43 to 0.48 % without filter bags (samples 1, 3, 5, 7) – from 0.52 to 0.55 %, and its amount is the lowest in sample 9 – 0.37 %. However, the essential oil content is the highest in sample 9, these are whole fennel fruits from the pack (0.15 %); slightly higher indicators are in model samples without filter bags (samples 2, 4, 6, 8). The pH value is slightly higher in infusions obtained from filter bags than without them (in the range of 6.61-6.70 and 6.22-6.25, respectively). However, the infusion obtained from a nylon pyramid bag (sample 7) had a pH value close to infusions obtained from the fennel medicinal raw material without packaging (6.25). The presence of infusions of anethole and terpenoids in model samples has been proven by thin layer chromatography. The microbiological studies conducted have shown that the use of the method of making water extracts from the patient information leaflet allows obtaining conditionally sterile infusions.  Conclusions. The indicators studied (transparency, color, odor, taste, extractives, identification and quantitative determination of BAS) can be used in the analysis of water extracts from the medicinal plant raw material produced in filter bags.