ABSTRACT:
The therapeutic efficacy and safety of Tamra Bhasma (Copper calyx), a widely used Ayurvedic metallic formulation, depend on thorough incineration and the absence of residual free metal. Although effective, conventional quality assessment methodologies such as Nirutthikarana (test for quality assessment) are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and require elevated temperature processing. This study aimed to assess the quality of Tamra Bhasma using an innovative electrolysis-based technique and compare its efficacy with that of the traditional Nirutthikarana protocol. The experimental design incorporated three commercially sourced Tamra Bhasma samples. Using a contemporary approach, 1 g of each sample was solubilized in dilute hydrochloric acid and subsequently subjected to electrolysis using silver electrodes. The experimental parameters of voltage, current, and duration were standardized, followed by the observation and analysis of cathode deposition. The mass of metallic precipitation on the Rajata (Silver foil) served as a quantitative metric of free metals. The experimental outcomes demonstrated that sample I exhibited substantial deposition at elevated voltages (8v–10v), indicative of incompletely processed metallic constituents. In contrast, samples II and III displayed minimal and stable deposition at intermediate voltages (4v–6v), suggesting properly processed Bhasma formulations. These findings align with the classical Nirutthikarana test results, thereby validating the analytical precision of the electrolysis methodology. The electrolysis-based analytical framework represents a dependable, efficient, and quantifiable alternative to traditional Nirutthikarana assessment. This approach reduces procedural complexities, enhances precision, and provides a scalable method for systematic Bhasma quality control, effectively integrating traditional Ayurvedic principles with contemporary analytical science.