Gravimetric Quantification of the Traditional "Handful" of Landolphia Owariensis Bark Powder
Abstract: Background: Traditional herbal preparations are often administered using empirical measures, such as a handful of powder or a volume of decoction. Although these practices are rooted in endogenous knowledge, the lack of precise quantification may limit preparation reproducibility and complicate their translation into preclinical studies. Objective: This study aimed to quantify gravimetrically the traditional portion of Landolphia owariensis P. Beauv. (Apocynaceae) liana bark powder and establish a quantitative correspondence between this empirical measure and the traditionally prepared aqueous formulation. Methods: Thirty portions of powder corresponding to the traditional measure were weighed individually. Descriptive statistics included the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, range, and 95% confidence interval. Data from the aqueous preparation were then used to estimate, by proportional calculation, the amounts of powder and dry residue corresponding to the reported preparation volumes. Results: The 30 weighings yielded a total mass of 443.2 g, with individual values ranging from 13.6 to 16.1 g. The mean mass per portion was 14.77 ± 0.63 g, with a coefficient of variation of 4.28% and a 95% confidence interval of 14.54-15.01 g. Preparation of 1,500 mL using 88.2 g of powder yielded 22.5 g of dry residue, corresponding to an apparent yield of 25.51%. By proportional calculation, a 250-mL fraction prepared using 14.7 g of powder corresponds to approximately 3.75 g of estimated dry residue. Conclusion: This approach converts a traditional manual measure into a measurable mass that can be used to describe and reproduce a herbal preparation. It represents a preliminary methodological step toward standardizing traditional quantities used in preclinical research. Dry-residue quantities estimated by proportional calculation must be distinguished from direct measurements.
Keywords: Landolphia owariensis; pharmacognosy; endogenous knowledge; handful; traditional preparation; standardization; ethnopharmacology
How to Cite?: FOFANA Yaya, DROGON Emanuel, ADICO N'dri Marcelline, "Gravimetric Quantification of the Traditional "Handful" of Landolphia Owariensis Bark Powder", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1403-1410, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261021013648, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261021013648