Packaging and storage
Preserve in well-closed containers. No storage requirements specified.
Identification
A:
To 5 mL of a 1 in 100 solution in 0.1 N sodium hydroxide, add 1 mL of
calcium chloride TS: a voluminous, gelatinous precipitate is formed.
B:
To 10 mL of a 1 in 100 solution in 0.1 N sodium hydroxide, add 1 mL of 2 N sulfuric acid: a heavy, gelatinous precipitate is formed.
C:
To about 5 mg in a test tube add 5 mL of water, 1 mL of a freshly prepared 1 in 100 solution of 1,3-naphthalenediol in alcohol, and 5 mL of hydrochloric acid. Heat the mixture to boiling, boil gently for 3 minutes, then cool to about 15

. Transfer the contents of the test tube to a 30-mL separator with the aid of 5 mL of water, and extract with 15 mL of isopropyl ether: the isopropyl ether extract exhibits a deeper purplish hue than that from a blank, similarly prepared.
D:
Ignite completely 0.2 g at as low a temperature as possible: a solution of the residue meets the requirements of the tests for
Potassium
191
.
Microbial limits
61
The total aerobic microbial count does not exceed 1000 cfu per g, and the total combined molds and yeasts count does not exceed 100 cfu per g.
Total ash
561
Proceed as directed for
Total Ash under
Methods of Analysis, carefully igniting about 3 g, accurately weighed, in a tared platinum dish, until the residue is thoroughly carbonized (about 5 minutes), and then igniting in a muffle furnace at a temperature of 800 ± 25

until the carbon is completely burned off (approximately 75 minutes): between 24.0% and 32.0% of ash is found, calculated on the as-is basis.
Lead
251
Add 1.0 g to 20 mL of nitric acid in a 250-mL conical flask, mix, and heat carefully until the Potassium Alginate is dissolved. Continue the heating until the volume is reduced to about 7 mL. Cool rapidly to room temperature, transfer to a 100-mL volumetric flask, and dilute with water to volume. A 50.0-mL portion of this solution contains not more than 5 µg of lead (corresponding to not more than 0.001% of lead), 15 mL of ammonium citrate solution, 3 mL of potassium cyanide solution, and 0.5 mL of hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution being used for the test. After the first dithizone extractions, wash the combined chloroform layers with 5 mL of water, discarding the water layer and continuing in the usual manner by extracting with 20 mL of 0.2 N nitric acid.
Heavy metals, Method II
231
Conduct the ignition in a platinum crucible, and use nitric acid in place of sulfuric acid to wet the test specimen: the limit is 0.004%.
Auxiliary Information
Staff Liaison :
Hong Wang, Ph.D., Scientist
Expert Committee : (EM205) Excipient Monographs 2
USP31NF26 Page 1209
Pharmacopeial Forum : Volume No. 31(5) Page 1426
Phone Number : 1-301-816-8351