A Comparative Study of Alcohol Estimation in Different Samples of Draksharishta

Background: Among all Arishta, Draksharishta is manufactured and sold on large amount by various pharmaceutical companies and widely prescribed by the physicians. Due to its effective properties and pleasant test resembling to that of Alcohol, Draksharishta is used by the patients in over dose for longer duration irrespective of the physician’s prescription.

Hence, to estimate and compare the level of alcohol and to detect the absence/presence of Methanol content in self-prepared and market samples of Draksharishta, this study was undertaken by comparing the permissible limits of alcohol in all the samples so as to inhibit alcohol intoxication due to Draksharishta. Draksharishta was prepared by two methods.

Methodology: In method 1, Dhataki (Woodfordia floribunda) flowers and in method 2, Yeast was used for inducing fermentation. Analytical study of two self prepared and five market samples of Draksharishta was conducted to estimate the level of alcohol, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar and to detect the absence/presence of Methanol content. The detected values of the parameters were compared among all the samples.

Results: The data reveal that there is difference in the physicochemical values of the Draksharishta samples. The alcohol content in samples M-E (2.8 %), S-A (3.40 %) and S-B (3.80 %) is low as compared to other sample of Draksharishta. Alcohol content in self prepared and market samples of Draksharishta is within permissible limits. Methanol is absent in all the sample of Draksharishta. Draksharishta prepared according to reference (S-A and S-B), satisfy the standard parameters of Arishta kalpana.

Conclusion: Draksharishta sample S-A and S-B can be easily used in all age groups even in higher dose. As alcohol contents is less and methanol is absent in self-prepared samples, they are safe to use.