title: Standardization and quality control parameters for Muktā Bhasma (calcined pearl).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Muktā Bhasma (MB) is a traditional Ayurvedic preparation for cough, breathlessness, and eye disorders and is a powerful cardiac tonic, mood elevator, and known to promote strength, intellect, and semen production.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present research work was conducted to generate fingerprint for raw and processed MB for quality assessment and standardization using classical and other techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three samples of MB were prepared by purification (śodhana) of Muktā (pearl) followed by repeated calcinations (Māraṇa). Resultant product was subjected to organoleptic tests and Ayurvedic tests for quality control such as rekhāpūrṇatā, vāritaratva, and nirdhūmatva.
  
  
  METHODS
  For quality control, physicochemical parameters such as loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, specific gravity, pH value, and other tests using techniques such as elemental analysis with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Structural study with powder X-ray diffraction, particle size with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out on raw Muktā, Śodhita Muktā, and triplicate batches of MB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed that the raw material Muktā was calcium carbonate in aragonite form, which on repeated calcinations was converted into a more stable calcite form. SEM studies revealed that in raw and purified materials the particles were found scattered and unevenly arranged in the range of 718.7-214.7 nm while in final product, uniformly arranged, stable, rod-shaped, and rounded particles with more agglomerates were observed in the range of 279.2-79.93 nm. EDAX analysis revealed calcium as a major ingredient in MB (average 46.32%) which increased gradually in the stages of processing (raw 34.11%, Śodhita 37.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality control parameters have been quantified for fingerprinting of MB prepared using a particular method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rasashastra and B. K., Rishikul P. G. Government Ayurveda College, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Rasashastra and B. K., Rishikul P. G. Government Ayurveda College, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Khemchand
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Rasashastra and B. K., Rishikul P. G. Government Ayurveda College, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Hema
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.affiliation: Department of Rasashastra and B. K., Government Ayurveda College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
authors.forename: Manoj Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Dash
keywords: Energy dispersive X-ray analysis; Muktā Bhasma; Quality; X-ray diffraction; scanning electron microscopy