Review on Abhrasindoora: A Sublimated Mercurial Formulation as a Herbo-Bio-Mineral Metallic Compound for Respiratory Ailments

Abhrasindoora is a unique mercurial formulation as a herbo-bio-mineral metallic compound which is mentioned under Kupipakwa Rasayana Prakarana in Rasendra Sambhava. There are four formulations are mentioned with the name of Abhrasindoora, amongst them one in Rasendra Shambhava and three in Rasayogasagara. In this review article we have focused on the specific method mentioned in Rasendra Sambhava, which is a combination of Dhanyabhraka, Shodhita Parada (Mercury), Shodhita Gandhaka (Sulphur) in equal proportion (1:1:1). Its method of preparation initiates with the Kajjali formation followed by impregnation of Latex of Calotropis procera (QS) and freshly expressed arial root juice of Ficus bengalensis (QS) and cooking into mud smeared seven layered glass bottle using sand bath heating system. Specific heating pattern consisting of mild (1200C-2500C) moderate (2500C-4500C) and intense (4500C-6500C) heat should be maintained for preparation of Abhrasindoora. Previous pharmaceutical study done by Dr. Jyoti B. (2018) had yielded approximately 28% bright red color Abhrasindoora. In Rasayogasagara, bhasmikarana process is mentioned for preparation of Abhrasindoora which is not appropriate as per current trend. Hence, Rasendra Sambhava method is appropriate to prepare Abhrasindoora. This formulation has broad spectrum activity along with suitable adjuvants. The therapeutic indications are Cough, Bronchial Asthma, Fever etc. This herbo-bio-mineral metallic compound is quick acting, low dose, highly stable, good palatability and helps to treats chronic ailments.

Evaluation of Microwave Applicator Design on Electromagnetic Field Distribution and Heating Pattern of Cooked Peeled Shrimp

Non-uniform temperature distribution within solid food is a major problem associated with microwave heating, which limits industrial applications. Therefore, an experimentally validated 3D model was proposed to study the effect of microwave applicator geometry on the electromagnetic field distribution and heating pattern of shrimp under different processing conditions. Simulation results were compared with physical experiments, in which a cooked peeled shrimp sample was heated using two different laboratory-scale microwave applicators (rectangular and cylindrical cavities). For the rectangular applicator, the temperature distribution within the shrimp, when examined in cross-section, was more homogeneous compared to that of the cylindrical applicator. The results showed the influence of the complex shape of the food on the temperature distribution during microwave heating, as well as of process parameters (input power and geometry cavity). Moreover, this modelling method could provide a better understanding of the microwave heating process and assist manufacturing companies to evaluate a suitable microwave applicator according to their specific purpose.

A REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF ARKA LAVANA: THE FORMULATION OF UPAVISHA ARKA

Arka lavana is a well-recognised and highly effective Lavana kalpana. Lavana preparations are widely and largely prepared in pharmacy as well as used by practitioners of Ayurveda for different ailments. In Lavana kalpana particular heating pattern is followed for drug along with lavana in a sharava (earthen crucible) by subjecting it to putapaka. Arka lavana is one of the commonly used preparation containing very safe and easily available herbo-mineral drugs. It is mentioned in various classical texts like Bhaishajya ratnavali, Rasatarangini, Vangasen, Gadanigraha etc. A scrutiny of classical literature revealed use of Arka lavana in Yakrit-pleeha roga, Gulma, Ajirna, Agnimandya and Udara. Sufficient literary, preclinical and clinical data is not available to prove its mode of action. Thus, present study aims to review all possible references of Arka lavana and formulation ingredients to establish its probable mode of action.

Effect of Electric Field Distribution on the Heating Uniformity of a Model Ready-to-Eat Meal in Microwave-Assisted Thermal Sterilization Using the FDTD Method

Microwave assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) is a novel microwave technology currently used in the commercial production of ready-to-eat meals. It combines surface heating of high-temperature circulation water with internal microwave heating in cavities. The heating pattern inside the food packages in a MATS process depends heavily on the electric field distribution formed by microwaves from the top and bottom windows of the microwave heating cavities. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of the electric field on 922 MHz microwave heating of ready-to-eat meals as they moved through the microwave chamber of a pilot-scale MATS system using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. A three-dimensional numerical simulation model was developed as a digital twin of the MATS process of food moving through the microwave chamber. The simulation showed that the electric field intensity of the MATS microwave cavity was greatest on the surface and side edge of the cavity and of the food. There was a strong similarity of the experimental heating pattern with that of the electric field distribution simulated by a computer model. The digital twin modeling approach can be used to design options for improving the heating uniformity and throughput of ready-to-eat meals in MATS industrial systems.

PHARMACEUTICAL STANDARDIZATION OF “HINGULADRASA SINDOORA” PREPARED BY ELECTRIC MUFFLE FURNACE

Kupipakwa Rasayana bears a unique place in Rasa Shastra treatises because of its mercurial preparation with quicker action and synergistic effects in the body at very low dose. Rasa Sindoora is one of the Kupipakwa Rasayana a most potent medicine of Ayurveda. Acharaya Sadanand Sharma mentioned in his text Rasatarangini that Hinguladrasa Sindoora has equal property, dose, therapeutic indication, Anupan (Adjuvant) and Pathya (Wholesome) etc. same as Rasa Sindoora. Hinguladrasa Sindoora was prepared with same proportion of Shodhita Hingula (Purified Cinnabar) and Shodhita Gandhaka (Purified Sulphur) as per the reference of Rasa Tarangini. Aim-To standardize manufacturing procedure of Hinguladrasa Sindoora. Material and Method- Purified Hingula and Purified Gandhaka both grounds properly and made into the Shlakshana Churna (Smooth Powder). Three batches were prepared to standardize the procedure by using electric muffle furnace (EMF). Results and Conclusion - Average melting temperature of Shlakshana Churna, Average flame appearing temperature and Average corking temperature were 1850C, 4830C and 7030C respectively. Average yield in three consecutive batches was 85 gm and the average time was 15.41 hrs. Three batches of Hinguladrasa Sindoora preparation concluded that for 200 gm of Shlakshana Churna by following intermittent heating pattern that was mild heat (100-2500C) for 4 hrs., Moderate heat (250-4500C) for 4 hrs. and strong heat (450-7500C) for 7-8 hrs.

A Novel Microwave and Induction Heating Applicator for Metal Making: Design and Testing

The use of microwave heating in primary metallurgy is gaining an increasing interest due to the possibility to selectively process ores and to volumetrically heat large amounts of low-thermal conductivity minerals. In this paper the study, development and testing of a new applicator combining the use of microwave and induction heating for rapid reduction of metal containing oxides is described. Numerical simulation was used in order to achieve the proper control over heat generation, considering the use of microwave solid state generators. A prototype, with a capacity up to 5 liters of standard input feed but with the predisposition for continuous processing has been designed, built and tested on reference loads like iron oxide powders and pellets. Results on the microwave heating part of the applicator indicate that it allows to efficiently and rapidly process these kinds of loads, which change from dielectric to conductors as reduction proceeds. The use of variable frequency solid state microwave generators allows to maximize energy efficiency and to controllably change the heating pattern inside the load.