Answer:
Quinine is obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree. Here is a detailed explanation of why quinine is obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree:
1. Cinchona Tree:
- The cinchona tree, also known as the quinine tree, is a tropical evergreen tree native to South America.
- It belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is primarily found in countries like Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia.
2. Bark Extraction:
- Quinine is extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree.
- The bark is harvested from mature trees, typically around 8-10 years old, as they contain higher levels of quinine.
3. Quinine Content:
- The bark of the cinchona tree contains varying levels of quinine alkaloids.
- Quinine is the primary alkaloid of interest, known for its antimalarial properties.
4. Quinine Extraction Process:
- The extraction process involves grinding and powdering the bark of the cinchona tree.
- The powdered bark is then mixed with a solvent like alcohol or water to extract the quinine alkaloids.
- The extracted solution undergoes further purification and concentration to obtain pure quinine.
5. Uses of Quinine:
- Quinine has been widely used as an antimalarial drug for centuries.
- It is known to treat and prevent malaria by killing the Plasmodium parasites in the bloodstream.
- Quinine also possesses antipyretic (fever-reducing) and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.
6. Other Sources:
- While quinine is primarily obtained from the cinchona tree, it can also be synthetically produced in laboratories.
- However, natural extraction from the cinchona bark remains the primary and most common method.
In conclusion, quinine is obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree due to its high concentration of quinine alkaloids, which possess antimalarial properties. The bark is harvested, extracted, and processed to obtain pure quinine, which is then used for various medicinal purposes.