The laboratory mortar is a utensil that consists of a jar and a stick, normally used to crush or crush certain ingredients into a kind of powder or much smaller pieces.
Mortar is a fundamental tool in chemical laboratories. Thanks to it, solid chemical elements can be turned into powder or can be left in smaller sizes, which can be very helpful for scientists.
In fact, there is a close relationship between this instrument and laboratories, since in ancient times, it was a widely used tool in pharmaceutical processes for the creation of medicines.
Likewise, it has been linked with the mixture of chemicals since its appearance thousands of years ago, even mortar samples have been found dating from 35,000 years before Christ.
These findings are documented in ancient writings ranging from the Egyptian Papyri (1550 BC) to the Old Testament (Proverbs 27:22).
Laboratory Mortar Function
Usually, laboratory mortars are used in order to crush chemical elements in order to study them more carefully or to facilitate their handling.
This process is of great importance especially if tests or experiments are being carried out in said laboratory.
Although the use of mortars has decreased, they are not yet fully extinguished. This is because they are an extremely useful and simple tool that does not require more knowledge to use.
Technology has advanced and machines have been created capable of performing the same work as a mortar but at a higher speed, however simple mortars are still in force and are chosen without hesitation by many people, especially in the pharmaceutical industry.
Chemical and medicinal laboratories do not always work with large quantities of ingredients and, in many cases, the attention and delicacy of a person is necessary using a mortar.
Many people believe that the final result obtained by a machine when grinding an element or ingredient is not the same as that of the mortar. The latter gives a more specific result.
The function of mortar is still prevalent today because it is a very easy to use tool.
The only thing that could vary in the use of such an instrument would be the force that must be applied or the movement that must be made to bring the ingredient from solid to smaller pieces or powder.
characteristics
The laboratory mortar is in different sizes adjustable to the needs of its use. The most common measurements vary in a capacity that goes from 80 ml to 500 ml. Its price may vary depending on its size and material.
The laboratory mortar consists of 2 parts: a thick-walled vessel and a small stick or bar with which the ingredient is crushed. This instrument can vary in its composition, since there are many types of mortars.
There are certain materials from which these instruments must be made. The quality of the material is considered by laboratories, both chemical and medicinal. Certain materials offer greater strength and are therefore more optimal for grinding.
The most common materials in which mortars are made are:
-Quartz
-Ceramics
-Glass
-Metal
-Diamonite
There are many mortars made of porcelain but this is not the right one if it will be used in chemical or pharmaceutical laboratories.
Porcelain is known to be a porous material. This means that it quickly absorbs other elements that come into contact with it.
If you are working with chemical elements or medicines in porcelain mortars, the components may suffer from contamination by the mortar, if it was previously used with other elements. This would be counterproductive.
History of mortar
It is impressive how an instrument such as mortar has not changed in so many years of existence. The mortar is one of the oldest tools that exists both in the culinary art and in the manufacture of medicines.
In ancient times, people used mortars to grind and mix herbs that would become medicine.
Over the years, his anatomy changed very little but the use remains the same. It is an instrument used both in the kitchen and in chemical laboratories that allows the person to have control of the way in which they will convert the ingredient.
Both the Bible and the Egyptian papyri have clear documentation of the use of this useful tool and that gives it incredible value that many take for granted.
In the same way, clear illustrations of mortars have been found on old Italian shelves dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.
On the other hand, information about mortars has also been found in ancient cultures, such as the Aztecs and the Mayans. The mortars found are almost 6,000 years old and made of a material known as basalt.
Other ancient cultures such as Japanese and Hindu cultures also have traces of having used this tool to create healing herbs or typical dishes for them.
During the Renaissance period, many European craftsmen took the time to create a wide variety of mortars of different types, sizes, and colors. This shows us the importance that this instrument had and that it still retains.
Although at present the mortar is used mainly in the kitchen area, the use that was given to it in ancient times for the creation of medicines is still active.
Many scientists prefer to use a mortar to carry out their experiments since in this way they feel that they have more control over the chemical process that is about to be carried out.
References
- Mortar and Pestle. Retrieved on September 11, 2017, from en.wikipedia.org.
- Mortar and Pestles. Retrieved on September 11, 2017, from homesciencetools.com
- The Glassware Gallery. Mortar and Pestles. Retrieved on September 11, 2017, from ilpi.com
- Collage of Pharmacy. Retrieved on September 11, 2017, from pharmacy.arizona.edu
- The Mortar and the Pestle. Retrieved on September 11, 2017, from motherearthliving.com
- Ten Thousand Years of the Mortar and Pestle. Retrieved on September 11, 2017, from theatlantic.com
- Mortar and Pestle. Retrieved on September 11, 2017, from herbmuseum.ca.