A study to evaluate the preservative action of Twak Arka in Triphala Kwatha

Abstract

Introduction: Primary dosage forms are basic preparations whose shelf life is a challenge for the practice. Kwatha is a preparation which is easily prone to contamination and can be marketed only by the addition of suitable preservatives to increase the shelf life. So addition of preservatives is being practiced to prolong the shelf life of kwatha but presently using chemical preservatives are harmful to body and even have carcinogenic effects. Hence there aroused a need to find natural preservatives. Arka which is a water distillate consists of essential substances from the crude drug and has longer shelf life. Twak arka possess anti- microbial and anti- oxidant properties and economically cheaper and easily available drug and triphala kwatha being useful in many purposes. In this study an attempt was made to elucidate the preservative action of twak arka in triphala kwatha. Materials and methods: Includes preparation of twak arka, triphala kwatha and conduction of analytical and microbiological study to see the preservative action using SDA and MHA media. Observations and results: Study follows observations over microbial growth of the sample on daily basis where twak arka showed preservative action for 31 days. Aspergillus niger was the fungal growth seen on 32^nd day. Discussion: Twak arka owing to its pH, chemical constituents and other properties preserved the triphala kwatha for a stipulated period of time. Conclusion: From the study, it was concluded that the twak arka preserved triphala kwatha without any microbial contamination for 31 days which was added in the concentration of 15%.