Muffle furnace and its uses in a Pharmacognosy lab?

Answer 1

A furnace is a scientific appliance used to generate heat in a controlled manner for various purposes like heat treatments and drying procedures. One such furnace is a muffle furnace. This article explains a muffle furnace and its uses and applications.

Muffle Furnace

A muffle furnace is a type of furnace, i.e., an instrument used to create an environment with high temperatures for processes like curing, drying, and heat treatments in chemical procedures. In a muffle furnace, heat is generated by the combustion of various types of fuel products. The objects kept inside the oven are heated only by the heat radiated into the oven and not by direct flame. Heat transfer in a muffle furnace takes place due to convection. The objects do not come in contact with the flame or the residues of combustion like smoke and ash. The word ‘muffle’ is used because the insulation in the furnace prevents the heat generated inside the chamber from escaping. Heat spreads uniformly throughout the chamber. The temperature inside the chamber is controlled and maintained throughout the process.

Now, we have seen what a muffle furnace is. But how is it used in a pharmacognosy lab? Let us see.

What is Pharmacognosy?

Pharmacognosy is the science of drugs and medicines obtained from Natural Resources like plants and animals. It also studies the properties of these drugs. E.g., Medical Cannabis or CBD is obtained from the flower of the plant Cannabis. It is a powerful drug used for the treatment of many psychotic illnesses. The crude drug is obtained from plants and other natural sources. They undergo further chemical and heat treatments and are transformed into the consumable medication of a certain quantity and quality.

Muffle Furnace in Pharmacognosy

How is a muffle furnace used in a Pharmacognosy laboratory? The crude drugs extracted from plants and many natural sources are subjected to very high temperatures to study the changes in their properties. Another use of a muffle furnace in a pharmacognosy lab or any pharmaceutical laboratory is for drying and coating purposes. The excess moisture is removed from the tablets and they are coated (toughened).

Features of a Muffle Furnace

· Heat resistant fragments

· Cooling fans to prevent over-heating

· Uniform heating

· Accurate temperatures maintained continuously

· Energy and space-saving

Muffle Furnace service in Chennai

MRS Scientific Instruments Company is a leading manufacturer of scientific and laboratory instruments like Furnaces, Incubators, Ovens, etc. They provide affordable, high-quality Muffle Furnace services in Chennai.