Useful for pharmacy students

1. Determination of alcohol content in
Arista and Asavas

2.  These are medicinal preparations made
by soaking the drugs either in powder
form or in the form of decoction (KASAYA)
in a solution of sugar or Jaggery, for a
specified time.

3.  During this process fermentation takes
place and alcohol is generated which
facilitates the extraction of active
principles contained in the drug.
 The alcohol so generated also acts as a
preservative.

4.  Marketed preparations:
 ASAVAS- Arvindasava
 Kumaryasava
 Vasakasava
 ARISTAS- Balarista
 Dasmularista
 Vidangarista
 Abhyarista

5.  Method 1- GLC Method
 Method 2 - GLC Method for industrial
methylated spirit
 Method 3 A- A Method for certain liquid
preparations
 Method 3 B and C- Preparations
containing appropriate amounts of volatile
substances

6.  Asava and Aristas are the ayurvedic preparations
which are prepared by Fermentation process.
There- fore they contain alcohol, generated
during their formulation. They contain usually
around 12% of alcohol. The estimation of alcohol
content in them is a means of standardization.

7.  Specific gravity of hydroalcoholic
preparations varies with the amount of
alcohol present in them.
 Specific gravity is inversely proportional to
the amount of alcohol. A standard plot is
drawn from the data given in
pharmacopoeias ( specific gravity vs alcohol

8.  In the procedure , a specified quantity of
the sample (25ml, I.P) is distilled and the
specific gravity of the distillate is
determined. The amount of alcohol
present in the sample can be calculated
by interpolation.

9.  Measure 100ml of the sample in a
graduated flask at 20 degrees . Transfer the
contents to flask of 500ml or 800ml capacity.
Wash the graduated flask with 50ml of water
and add these washings to the flask. Add
little pumice powder .

10.  Neutralize , if required with N/10 Sodium
hydroxide solution Connect the flask to a
condenser by means of a suitable head
and distill to collect at least 90ml of
distillate.

11.  Determine the specific gravity at 20
degrees .calculate the amount of alcohol by
interpolation from the standard plot.