Effect of repeated extraction of white ash with water on physicochemical properties of palash kshar

Abstract

Background: Kshar Kalpana is the method of extraction of white alkaline substances present in the white ash of the plant. Ancient scholars used the single time extraction by variation in the quantum (4, 6 and 8 times) of solvent (water). Modern pharmaceutics recommend the recur of extraction till getting much extract. No single work was conducted to study Pharmaceutical and physicochemical variation on single and repeated extraction of alkaline substances from white ash of Palash (Butea monosperma Lam.) plant using water.

Objectives: To prepare and compare Palash Kshar by using single and multiple extraction in terms of physicochemical limits, cost, and yield.

Materials and Methods: Palash Kshar was prepared by using single and repeated (5 times) extraction of white ash of palash along with water. Palash Kshar was characterized by organoleptic characters, physico-chemical limits, and various modern analytical techniques, viz., X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Flame Photometry.

Results: Percentage yield of Palash kshar was decreased nearly to half from 1^st to 5^th extraction. Maximum Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) extraction happens after 1^st extraction. K percentage of Palash kshar obtained after 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th extraction is 5.380, 6.177, 5.959, and 3.990. Na percentage of Palash kshar obtained after 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th extraction is 0.179, 0.207, 0.329 and 0.321. All samples of Palash Kshar contain K, Na, C, O, Cl, while Mg and Al were present in kshar obtained from repeated extraction.

Conclusion: A method prescribed by ancient scholar i.e. use of single extraction of ash with water, is the proper method regarding yield, cost, and extraction of basic substances like Na, K.