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Anise
Synonym: Anise Fruit
Biological source: It consists of dried of dried, ripe fruits of Pimpinella anisum belonging to family Umbelliferae.
Geographical source: An annual plant indigenous to the Levant but widely cultivated both in Europe (Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Bulgaria), Egypt and America (Chile, Mexico). Anise is mentioned in the writings of Theophrastus, Dioskurides and Pliny. It was cultivated in Germany in the ninth century. Spain and Egypt is the principal producer of the oil.
Macroscopical characters:
Colour: greyish-brown
Odour: Aromatic
Taste: Aromatic
Shape: Pear-shaped, somewhat compressed cremocarps, which are usually, attached to pedicels 2-l2 mm in length.
The cremocarps are 3-6 mm long and 2-3 mm broad. The Spanish (Alicante) and Italian are distinguished by their large size and light colour, while the German and 'Russian' are smaller. More ovoid and darker. Each mericarp has five somewhat wavy ridges and is slightly pubescent on the dorsal surface
Chemical constituents:
Anise fruits yield2-3% of volatile oil (Aniseed oil BP). Volatile oil containing up to 90% of the phenolic ether anethole. This is practically identical with that obtained from the star-anise. Illicium verum. 2-(2'-Methyl) butyrate--5-methoxy-trans-propenylbenzene and a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon are characteristic compounds of the Pimpinella oil which are stated to be absent from the star-anise oil. The Pimpinella oil is said to have a slightly superior flavour. But most of the anise oil used is that obtained from star-anise. It also contains proteins and about 8-11% of fixed oil.
Uses :
Anise is employed as an aromatic and carminative. The oil is used widely in pharmaceutical preparation. Marked estrogenic activity is reported for the volatile oil.
References:
1. Trease D. & Evans W.C.: Text Book of Pharmacognosy: W.B. Saunders.
2. Tyler V. E. Brady L. R. & Robbers J. E.: Pharmacognosy; Lea Feibger, USA.
3. Wallis T. E.; Text Book of Pharmacognosy; CBS Publishers, Delhi.
4. Kokate C. K., Purohit A. P. & Gokhale S. B.: Pharmacognosy; Nirali Publications, Pune.
5. Harbone J. B.: Phytochemical Methods: A guide to modern techniques Analysis: Chapman & Hall, London.
6. Bruneton J.: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants: Intercept Limited.
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