Pharmaceutical Standardization Pharmaceutical standardization of Jala Shukti Bhasma and Mukta Shukti Bhasma

Shukti is an important component of Sudha Varga, which is considered as the latest class in the field of Rasa Shastra. Two types of Shukti have been mentioned in Rasa Shastra texts i.e. Jala Shukti and Mukta Shukti according to the availability. In present study, an attempt has been made to develop a standard manufacturing procedure (SMP) of Jala Shukti Bhasma and Mukta Shukti Bhasma . Five batches of Jala Shukti Bhasma and Mukta Shukti Bhasma were prepared and standardization was attempted by maintaining batch manufacturing records of individual batches. During pharmaceutical procedures like Shodhana , Bhavana , Marana , etc. due care of temperature, its duration, percentage of weight gain or loss and the cost factor of the end product, etc. were considered. The average weight loss observed was 12.08 g i.e. 2.42% and 14.62 g i.e. 2.92% during Jala Shukti and Mukta Shukiti Shodhana respectively. Average weight loss found was 38.94 g i.e. 7.79% in Jala Shukti Bhasma while in Mukta Shukti Bhasma, it was 35.24 g i.e. 7.05%. At the end of the pharmaceutical procedure, it was found that Mukta Shukti Bhasma is 2.8 times costlier than Jala Shukti Bhasma .


Introduction
Ancient Acharyas of Rasa Shastra had included Shukti in different Vargas like Shukla Varga, [1] Shodhaniya Gana, [2] Shweta Varga, [3] Uparasa, [4] Uparatna, [5] Shankhadi Vigyaniyam [6] etc. but later on in the 20 th century A.D., it was included under Sudha Varga due to the predominance of calcium or Sudha. First time the author of Ayurved Prakasha [7] has mentioned two types of Shukti (Jala Shukti and Mukta Shukti) along with their synonyms, Shodhana and therapeutic uses accepted these in detail. Almost all authors of Rasa Shastra have mentioned two types of Shukti. In Rasa Tarangini, Shukti is described in detail under the broad heading of Shankhadi Vigyaniyam. Further two types of Mukta Shukti i.e. broad and circular and ear-like (Karnikakara) according to their shape. Among those, Karnikakara Mukta Shukti is the best variety and should be used in medicine. If it is not available, the first variety can be used as the substitute of the second variety but it is of lower quality. [8] There are some controversies regarding Jala Shukti and Mukta AYU Access this article online Website: www.ayujournal.org DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.100331

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Shukti. Jala Shukti is easily available and cheaper, while Mukta Shukti is not easily available and costlier than Jala Shukti. Jala Shukti is mostly procured from fresh water, while Mukta Shukti is procured from sea water. In this attempt, Jala Shukti Bhasma and Mukta Shukti Bhasma were prepared in order to develop a Standard Manufacturing Procedure (SMP).

Shodhana of Ashuddha Jala Shukti and Mukta Shukti:
For Shodhana of both Shukti, 500 g was taken in each batch and Nimbu Swarasa was used as media for Swedana. Nimbu Swarasa was prepared as per the Sharangadhara Samhita. [9] Before processing it was washed with potable water properly, then cut in two pieces with knife. The cut part of the Nimbu was put in an in extractor and compressed to collect Swarasa which was filtered through a cotton cloth. The details of observations and results are presented in Table 1. The Shodhana process of both Shukti was carried out as per the Rasatarangini. [10] Details of ingredients and their ratio used in the Shodhana process have been shown in Tables 2 and 3. Ashuddha Jala Shukti was made into small pieces, kept in two folded white clean cotton cloth and Pottali was prepared [ Figure 3]. It was suspended in Dola Yantra containing 3 L of Nimbu Swarasa (lemon juice) and mild heat was applied to boil Nimbu Swarasa which was maintained for 3 h. When the level of Nimbu Swarasa decreased, again extra 1 L (average) was added. After completion of processing, heating was stopped and left for self-cooling. Then the Pottali was opened and Shukti pieces were washed thoroughly with hot water and dried. Similar procedure was followed for Mukta Shukti Shodhana. The observation and results obtained during the Shodhana process have been presented in Tables 4,5

Marana of Shuddha Jala Shukti and Mukta Shukti First Puta
Shoddhita materials (Shuddha Jala Shukti or Mukta Shukti) were kept in Sharava in one layer and Sharava Samputa was prepared. After that, Sharava Samputa was allowed to dry in sunlight. The 4.100 L B 3 4.120 L B 4 4.220 L B 5 4.280 L    Sharava Samputa was subjected to Puta Paka in the conventional Puta i.e. Gaja Puta. After placing ignited cow dung cakes and filling two-thirds of the pit with 60 cow dung cakes, Sharava Samputa was kept on them and the remaining one-third part was filled with 40 cow dung cakes to cover Sharava Samputa. After complete burning of all the cow dung cakes, the pit was allowed to self-cool. On the next day, after self-cooling of Sharava Samputa, it was opened and Jala Shukti pieces -Mukta Shukti pieces were collected carefully and weighed. [11] The results obtained during the first Puta have been presented in Tables 6,7 and Figure 6.

Second Puta
Kumari Swarasa was extracted by Nishpidana (expression) Vidhi. [9] Leaves of Kumari were washed in tap water; thorny ridges and apex were cut by knife. Mucilaginous pulp was separated from the leaves with the help of knife and pulp was churned in mixer and then strained through cotton cloth. The results are presented in Table 8.
Jala Shukti powder -Mukta Shukti powder (obtained after 1st Puta) was levigated with Kumari Swarasa in porcelain mortar until it formed a thick paste [ Figures 7,8] and become suitable for making Chakrikas (pellets). Small amount of levigated doughy mass was made into flat and round-shaped Chakrikas.
The prepared pellets were kept on a plastic sheet for drying.
After proper drying of Chakrikas, they were weighed and kept in an earthen Sharava. That Sharava was covered by another earthen Sharava and the junction between the two Sharavas was sealed by a cotton cloth smeared with Mulatani Mitti and again allowed to dry completely. The remaining procedure was carried out the was similar to first Puta. The observations and results obtained during the second Puta have been presented in Tables 9,10 and Figures 9-12. The final product was powdered and sieved through 120 # mesh to obtain fine Bhasma. Then Jala Shukti Bhasma or Mukta Shukti Bhasma was filled inside '0' no. (500 mg in volume) gelatine capsules for oral administration.

Average temperature pattern
The temperature of Puta during Marana procedure of Jala Shukti and Mukta Shukti was recorded at regular intervals of 15 min for 6 h. During Jala Shukti Bhasma preparation, the average peak temperature observed was 859.80°C and 852.6°C in the first and second Puta respectively, whereas in Mukta Shukti Bhasma preparation the peak temperature was found to be 850.80°C and 849.20°C in the first and second Puta respectively. The temperature pattern observed during the first Puta and second Puta of both Bhasma are presented in Graphs 1 and 2.

Discussion
For the Shodhana procedure, each batch of Jala Shukti and Mukta Shukti, 500 g were taken and average four l of Nimbu Swarasa was required for each batch to complete Swedana process. The ratio of materials and liquid media required was 1:8.           The average weight loss was found to be 38.94 g i.e. 7.79% in Jala Shukti Bhasma after the second Puta while in the Mukta Shukti Bhasma it was observed to be 35.24 g i.e. 7.05%. This loss may be due to vaporization of water and burning of some organic or inorganic materials. The peculiar odor observed during levigation with Kumari Swarasa disappeared after the second Puta in both Bhasma.
Varitaratwa was attempted to evaluate in both the samples of Shukti Bhasma by following the classical method as explained in Rasa Ratna Samuchaya. In general, this test is not mentioned in classical literature, though the authors tried to evaluate it. The Varitaratwa test was observed to be positive in Mukta Shukti Bhasma, while it was mild in Jala Shukti Bhasma, it may be due to some difference regarding its inorganic chemical elements.
Rekhapurnatwa was observed in both Bhasma after the second Puta indicating fineness of Bhasma.