Original Research Physico-chemical analysis of crude Tuttha and Tuttha bhasma prepared through three different procedures

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1 Original Research Physico-chemical analysis of crude and bhasma prepared through three different procedures Anita Mahapatra 1, Brahmananda Mahapatra 2 1 AVP Research Foundation, AVT Complex, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India; 2 Govt Ayurveda college, Balangir, Odisha Corresponding author dranitads@gmail.com Abstract is a mineral, which is used in the form of incinerated (bhasma), purified or added to herbal or herbomineral formulations in different dosage forms of Ayurveda. Ayurveda classical texts indicate to use in skin diseases, ulcer, sinus, worm infection, vitiligo, obesity, pain, asthma, hyper acidity, hemorrhoids and diseases of eyes etc. But analytical standards of and Bhasma are not reported till date. So it is an effort to evaluate and compare the properties of crude before purification and after purification and also to compare the properties of Bhasma processed by three different procedures. Crude was obtained and chemical composition was evaluated. For purification as per classical texts was dipped in lemon juice and triturated for 6 hours till it became dry. Purified was incinerated in procedure I, Purified and purified Sulphur (Gandhaka) was together incinerated in procedure II, Purified was again triturated with purified Sulphur (Gandhaka), Borax (Tankana) and Artocarpus lakoocha (Lakuca) juice in procedure III and heated to form ash (Bhasma) as per classical texts. Quantitative analysis revealed that before purification contains copper %, Sulphur %, Iron %. After purification of with Lemon juice, the content of copper was 26.74%, iron was 0.76% and sulphur was 8.46%. bhasma prepared by 3 different procurers fulfilled all the qualities of Bhasma pareeksha (Ayurvedic parameters). bhasma I was found to contain 66.74% of Cu, 8.72% of S and 1.59% of Fe. bhasma II was found to contain 48.91% of Cu, 7.15% of S and 0.99% of Fe. bhasma III was found to contain 15.06% of Cu, 8.63% of S, 0.61% of Fe and addition of 5.30% of Na was observed. The result showed that copper content was increased in bhasma I (66.74%) as compared to that in crude (23.78%). Key words:, Bhasma, Puta, Tamra, Copper sulphate. Annals Ayurvedic Med. 2013:2(4) Introduction is one among the Maharasas, has been indicated in various diseases from skin diseases [1] to eye diseases [2] etc. Chemically it is found to be compound of copper with chemical formula CuSO 4. 5H 2 O. It is also known as copper (II) sulfate, blue vitriol and bluestone. is one among maharasa (group of a mineral), which is used as incinerated ashes (bhasma) after purification with or without added herbs or at times herbo-mineral combination. The properties of is mentioned by Ayurvedic classic as pungent (Katu), alkali (Kshara), astringent (Kashaya), light to digest (Laghu), emetic (Vamaka), scraping (Lekhana), penetrating (Bhedana), hot (Usna) in potency, good for eyes (Cakshushya), pacifies Kapha and Pitta. [3] Rasashastra texts have mentioned the method of preparation of bhasma by subjecting it to Shodhana (purification procedure) and Marana (incineration procedure) to prepare the Bhasma. The properties of bhasma are scraping (Lekhana), penetrating (Bhedana); astringent and sweet in taste; light to digest, kaphameda hara; Anti-microbial, good for eyes, useful in Diabetes mellitus, anti obesity, strengthening, anti inflammatory, Heart disease, skin diseases, Vitiligo, Hyperacidity and as Rejuvenator. [4] is known by the names as ka, njana, Mayuraka, Sasyaka, Tamragarbha, Sikhigriva, Amritasanga and Kharparika in Ayurveda. [5,6,7] bhasma is a preparation containing copper as major component. Search of bibliographic databases did not fetch relevant research papers dealing on physico-chemical properties of or its synonyms. Therefore, attempt was made to evaluate physico-chemical parameters of and bhasmas prepared through three different procedures. 141

2 Objective of the study It is an attempt to evaluate and compare the physico-chemical properties of crude, purified and Bhasma prepared by three different methods. Materials and Methods Selection of the drug The sample of was collected from local market and matched with grahya lakshanas (qualities as described in the classics), viz., snigdha (unctuous), guru (heavy), mahaujjala (very bright blue in color) were observed and selected the sample for the study. The quantitative determination of major elementals were followed by applying A.A.S. [8] (Atomic absorption spectroscopy) and gravimetric analysis method. [9] It revealed that crude contains copper above 20% and was found to be of acceptable quality. [10] The other ingredients of the preparation were sulphur, borax, Citrus acida, Artocarpus lakoocha were collected with qualities as described in the classics. Process of purification (Shodhana) Purification of Mahapatra Anita et. al : Physico-Chemical Analysis of Crude 750gms of crude was dissolved in water and filtered through a cloth, then dried in shade to remove external impurities. Dried was taken in a mortar and pestle and 350ml of Citrus acida juice was poured to make it sufficiently wet and triturated manually with constant pressure for 6 hours. [11] The paste was allowed to dry and then preserved. There was a loss of 1% (10gms) of after purification, and some of it remained adhered to mortar that was difficult to collect. After purification of with Lemon juice, the copper content was 26.74%, iron content 0.76% and sulphur content was decreased to 8.46%. properly. The earthen pot setup was then placed in a pit covering till its neck level. The upper part of pot was covered with an iron pan and then covered by cow dung cakes. The cakes were burned and allowed to cool. The cooled pot was taken out and the cloth above the mouth of pot was removed. Sulphur was found to immerse in milk as beads. The classically purified sulphur was washed with warm water thrice and then dried and triturated to form powder. [12] There was a loss of 16% (80gms) after purification. Purification of Borax 250gm of Borax was taken in mortar and powdered. Powder borax was heated in a pan on low fire. Heating was continued till the hissing sound subsides. [13] Then borax was allowed to cool, powdered and stored in an airtight container. There was a loss of 20% (50gms) after purification. Process of incineration (Marana) Purified was incinerated following three different procedures. In procedure I purified was incinerated following Laghu puta method. [14] In procedure II purified Sulphur was added to purify at 1:2 ratios and was incinerated following classical method. [15] In procedure III purified, purified Sulphur, and purified Borax was added in equal quantities and sufficient quantity of juice of Artocarpus lakoocha juice was to fill and incinerated following Kukkuta Puta Method. [16] In all the three procedures, specified drugs were grounded thoroughly in a stone mortar and pestle to form a semisolid consistence, and then pellets of 3cm size in diameter and 0.5cm thickness were prepared and dried well in shade. These were placed in one single layer in a shallow earthen plate (sarava) of 1kg capacity and closed with another plate. The edge was sealed with clay-smeared cloth in seven consecutive layers and dried. These crucibles were subjected to a special type of furnace called Puta (indicates amount of heat and duration of burning). [17] Purification of Sulphur Earthen pot with 500gm of cow s ghee and 1liter of cow s milk was taken and covered with cotton cloth and tied. 500gm of powdered sulphur was kept above it and covered The quantitative determination of major elements in three bhasma were followed by A.A.S. and gravimetric analysis method. 142

3 Mahapatra Anita et. al : Physico-Chemical Analysis of Crude Results The physico-chemical parameters of before purification, after purification and after processing it to bhasma are shown in table no to 03. [Table 01 to 03] When subjected to Ayurvedic parameters (Bhasma pareeksha), bhasma was found to have the ability to float on water (varitaratva), entry into the furrows of fingers (rekhapurnatva), lack of metallic luster (nishcandrikatva), does not produce smoke when burnt (nirdhoomatva) and absence of bluish appearance of curd (dadhi bhasma pareeksha) 18 in all the bhasmas. When subjected to quantitative chemical analysis done by A.A.S. and gravimetric test. bhasma I was found to contain 66.74% of Cu, 8.72% of S and 1.59% of Fe. bhasma II was found to contain 48.91% of Cu, 7.15% of S and 0.99% of Fe. bhasma III was found to contain 15.06% of Cu, 8.63% of S, 0.61% of Fe and addition of 5.30% of Na was observed. Discussion Crude when analyzed was found to contain Cu (23.78%), S (11.98%) and Fe (0.33%). Crude is CuSO 4. 5H 2 O with molecular weight (Cu = 63.54, S= O = & 5H 2 O = 90) Here in 250gm molecular weight of Contains and in percentage wise copper contains nearly 25%. The present analysis shows Cu 23.78% and S 11.98%. This proves the purity of CuSO 4. Percentage of Iron shows only 0.33% may be due to the extraction method of copper from chalcopyrite Chalcopyrite contains iron, so the presence of Cu with Fe occurs naturally. In purified, the content of copper and iron increased slightly possibly due to exposure to air with lemon juice and reduction of total sample weight, by removing the external impurities. In bhasma I, purified was subjected to incineration thrice by Laghu puta. After incineration copper content increased by 43%, sulphur decreased by 3.26%, Iron increased by 1.26%. The purified copper sulphate (or copper citrate) might have changed its original form to copper oxide as the same ingredient heat was applied thrice for 2 hours at 100 o c temperatures. In procedure II, Purified and to that of half part of purified sulphur was subjected to incineration thrice as per classics. After incineration copper content increased by 25.13%, sulphur decreased by 4.83%, Iron increased by 0.66%. This is possibly due to the addition of sulphur, the content of copper reduced in compare to crude. The copper sulphate might have changed its original form to copper oxide probably due to oxidation process along sulphur in mud crucibles. In procedure III, Purified was subjected to incineration thrice by Kukkuta puta in a special type of crucible called musha (a cylindrical shape container). But in pilot study practical, the musha was not suitable to produce bhasma, which may be due to the size, shape and hassle in arrangement equidistant of the pellets; heat supply was not uniform ended up with an unacceptable preparation. Hence the study was successfully carried out in earthen plate (sarava). After incineration copper content increased by 8.72%, sulphur decreased by 3.35%, Iron increased by 0.28% and addition of Sodium 5.30% was found. This is possibly due to the three putas. In the first puta, equal quantity of purified Sulphur, Borax and Artocarpus lakoocha juice were added to the purified. In second puta, alone sulphur was added in equal quantity to the incinerated material of 1 st Puta. In third puta, again sulphur was added in equal quantity to the incinerated material of 2 nd Puta. Thus, the quantity of was reduced in comparison to the other materials; sulphur was repeatedly used to facilitate the incineration procedure. This reflects in reduction in the percentage of Cu (15.06%) in comparison to the crude. Na (5.30%) component is found newly in the final product might be from borax during incineration. bhasma I and II appeared grayish black and bhasma III was dark black in colour. Black colour probably due to the oxidation process along borax and sulphur in mud crucibles and also was reduced to 2/3 of its original weight. It is probably due to the chain of reaction in the process of incineration between purified copper sulphate, sulphur and borax. The copper sulphate might have changed its original form to copper oxide or copper sulphide or both as heat was applied thrice for 2 hours at o c tem- 143

4 Mahapatra Anita et. al : Physico-Chemical Analysis of Crude peratures. Conclusion Quantitative analysis revealed that before purification contains copper %, Sulphur %, Iron %. After purification of with Lemon juice, the content of copper was 26.74%, iron was 0.76% and sulphur was 8.46%. bhasma prepared by 3 different procurers fulfilled all the qualities of Bhasma pareeksha (Ayurvedic parameters). bhasma I was found to contain 66.74% of Cu, 8.72% of S and 1.59% of Fe. bhasma II was found to contain 48.91% of Cu, 7.15% of S and 0.99% of Fe. bhasma III was found to contain 15.06% of Cu, 8.63% of S, 0.61% of Fe and addition of 5.30% of Na was observed. The methodology difference in each procedure has influenced the outcome. The result showed that copper content was increased highly in bhasma I (66.74%) as compared to that in crude (23.78%). References 1. Charaka Samhita, Agnivesh, Ayurveda Dipika Sanskrit commentary, Vaidya Jadavaji Trikamji Acharya, Sutra Sthana, Navegadharaniya adhyaya (7:102), P.455, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt.Ltd, New Delhi, Charaka Samhita, Agnivesh, Ayurveda Dipika Sanskrit commentary, Vaidya Jadavaji Trikamji Acharya, Sutra Sthana, Trimarmiyacikitsa adhyaya (26:250), P.611, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt.Ltd, New Delhi, Yadavji TA, editor. Rasamritam. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan; p Sadanand Sharma. Rasatarangini, Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; p commentary, Vaidya Jadavaji Trikamji Acharya, Sutra Sthana, Kushthacikitsa adhyaya (7:108), P.611, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt.Ltd, New Delhi, Yadavji TA, editor. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan; p Anonymous. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, part-1, vol st edition. New Delhi:The controller of publications civil lines;2009.p Anonymous. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, part-1, vol st edition. New Delhi:The controller of publications civil lines;2009.p Anonymous. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, part-1, vol st edition. New Delhi:The controller of publications civil lines;2009.p Sadanand Sharma. Rasatarangini, Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; p Sadanand Sharma. Rasatarangini, Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; p C.B.Zha. Ayurvedia Rasashastra, Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan; p Sadanand Sharma. Rasatarangini, Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; p Sadanand Sharma. Rasatarangini, Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; p Sadanand Sharma. Rasatarangini, Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; p Anonymous. The Ayurvedic formulary of India, part-1, 2 nd edition. New Delhi:The controller of publications civil lines;2003.p Sadanand Sharma. Rasatarangini. Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; p Charaka Samhita, Agnivesh, Ayurveda Dipika Sanskrit 18. Shastri DN, Sharma SN, Rasa Tarangini, 17/32-33, edited by Shastri KN, reprint, Motilal Banarasi Das, Delhi, 2004; p

5 Mahapatra Anita et. al : Physico-Chemical Analysis of Crude Table 1 Loss of ingredient quantity in each session of bhasma Name of puta Wt of in gms before puta Wt of in gms after puta Loss of weight after puta in gms bhasma I Laghu puta 1 250gms 165gms 85gms Laghu puta 2 165gms 80gms 85gms Laghu puta 3 80gms 40gms 40gms bhasma II Laghu puta 1 300gms 100gms 200gms Laghu puta 2 150gms 80gms 70gms Laghu puta 3 120gms 70gms 50gms bhasma III Kukkuta puta 1 600gms 145gms 455gms Kukkuta puta 2 290gms 100gms 190gms Kukkuta puta 3 200gms 75gms 125gms Table 2 Physical features of and bhasma at different stages of preparation S. No Properties Crude Purified bhasma I bhasma II bhasma III Colour Phirozi Satin blue Greyish Black Greyish Black Black Form Hard Soft Very Soft Very Soft Very Soft Luster Bright blue Dull blue Black Black Black Odour Odorless Odorless Odorless Odorless Odorless Structure Massive Powder Soft Soft Soft Powder Powder Powder Taste Metallic Sour Tasteless Tasteless Tasteless Transparency Opaque Opaque Opaque Opaque Opaque Touch Hard Soft Smooth Smooth Smooth 145

6 Mahapatra Anita et. al : Physico-Chemical Analysis of Crude S.No. Quantitative analysis Table 3 Physico -Chemical parameters of bhasma Crude Purified bhasma I bhasma II 1 Copper 23.78% 26.74% 66.74% 48.91% 2 Sulphur 11.98% 8.46% 8.72% 7.15% 3 Iron 0.33% 0.76% 1.59% 0.99% 4 Sodium bhasma III % 8.63% 0.61% 5.30 % 5 Ash Value 63.91% 58.98% 92.8% 91.9% 79.7 %, 6 Acid insoluble ash 0.01% 0.02% 0.19% 0.28% 5.2 % 7 Loss on drying at 110 o C 28.12% 27.93% 0.58% 1.97% 2.1% Source of support : Nil Conflict of Interest : None 146