Preparation and Characterization of Suvarna Bhasma Parada Marit.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to characterize Suvarna Bhasma Parada Marit by using the Ayurvedic test parameters, physico-chemical tests, and various instrumentation techniques.

METHODS: Suvarna Bhasma, an Ayurvedic formulation manufactured as per Bharat Bhaishajya Ratnakar 5/8357 (BBR), has been studied using various instrumentation techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), laser particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and physico-chemical parameters, such as the loss on drying (LOD), loss on ignition (LOI), and acid insoluble Ash (AIA) were determined. In addition, Ayurvedic tests, such as Rekhapurnatva (enterable in the furrows of the fingers), Varitaratwa (floatable over water), Nirdhoomta (smokeless), Dantagre Kach-Kach (gritty particle feeling between the teeth), were performed.

RESULTS: The XRD study showed Suvarna Bhasma to be crystalline in nature and to contain more than 98% gold. The mean size of the gold crystallites was less than 10 microns, and the morphology was globular and irregular. Suvarna Bhasma contains gold as its single and major element, with EDAX and FT-IR spectra showing that it is more than 98% pure gold. The moisture content (LOD) is less than 0.5%, the LOI is less than 2%, and the AIA is not less than 95%. The Ayurvedic tests, as specified above, helped to confirm the quality of Suvarna bhasma prepared as per the text reference (BBR).

CONCLUSION: This chemical characterization of Suvarna Bhasma performed in this study by using modern instrumentation techniques will be helpful in understanding its pharmacological actions and will help in establishing quality protocols and specifications to substantiate the safety, efficacy & quality of Suvarna Bhasma.