Quantitative determination of ethanol in arishta by using UV-visible spectrophotometer

Objective: The present work aimed to develop a simple and rapid technique for determination of ethanol in arishta formulations using UV-visible spectrophotometer and its comparison with conventional method involving specific gravity.Methods: Separation of ethanol from arishta formulations carried out by solvent extraction using TBP (tri-n-butyl phosphate). The resultant mixture quantitatively analysed for ethanol concentration by dichromate oxidation method. Oxidation of ethanol imparts blue colour to the liquid which is easily detected at 595 nm.Results: Dichromate oxidation method have lesser deviations in results of replicates as compare to specific gravity technique. Evaluated arjunarishta, draksharishta and kutajarishta have ethanol content in the range 5.69 - 8.31, 7.65 - 10.26 and 5.63 - 7.89% v/v respectively.Conclusions: Quantitative determination of ethanol in fermented ayurvedic arishta formulation is possible after solvent extraction by dichromate oxidation technique with consistency and lower volume requirement.