Preparation and standardization of Ayurvedic formulations – Ghutika, Churna, Lehya and Bhasma MCQs With Answer

Preparation and standardization of Ayurvedic formulations – Ghutika, Churna, Lehya and Bhasma are vital for B.Pharm students studying phytopharmaceuticals, pharmacognosy and quality control. This concise guide links traditional processes (shodhana, bhavana, marana) with modern analytical standards, covering organoleptic and physicochemical tests, loss on drying, ash values, extractive values, pH, viscosity, particle size and microbial limits. It highlights instrumental techniques such as HPTLC, FTIR, XRD, SEM and AAS/ICP‑MS, plus regulatory considerations like API monographs, GMP, documentation and stability testing. Emphasis on reproducible SOPs and safety ensures integration of Ayurvedic formulations into pharmaceutical quality assurance. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. What best defines “Ghutika” in classical Ayurvedic pharmacy?

• A powdered single herb for inhalation
• A semisolid sweet electuary
• A type of herbo-mineral pill or bolus prepared with decoctions and triturations
• A liquid distillate of medicinal plants

Correct Answer: A type of herbo-mineral pill or bolus prepared with decoctions and triturations

Q2. Which characteristic primarily distinguishes Churna from other Ayurvedic dosage forms?

• It is a viscous syrup with high sugar content
• It is a fine powdered mixture of herbs intended for oral administration
• It is an incinerated mineral ash
• It is a compressed tablet with coating

Correct Answer: It is a fine powdered mixture of herbs intended for oral administration

Q3. Which ingredient is most commonly used as the base vehicle in Lehya (herbal jam/electuary)?

• Polyethylene glycol
• Jaggery or sugar syrup
• Hydroalcoholic solvent
• Glycerin and gelatin

Correct Answer: Jaggery or sugar syrup

Q4. What is the primary purpose of “Marana” in Bhasma preparation?

• To remove moisture by drying
• To triturate herbs with honey
• To incinerate and calcine purified metal/mineral until it converts to ash with desired properties
• To extract volatile oils using steam distillation

Correct Answer: To incinerate and calcine purified metal/mineral until it converts to ash with desired properties

Q5. In Ayurvedic manufacturing, what is the main objective of “Shodhana” (purification)?

• To increase particle size of minerals
• To detoxify and remove impurities from raw drugs to make them pharmaceutically acceptable
• To coat tablets for taste masking
• To concentrate volatile fractions only

Correct Answer: To detoxify and remove impurities from raw drugs to make them pharmaceutically acceptable

Q6. Which standardization parameter directly measures moisture content of a powder formulation like Churna?

• Total ash value
• Loss on drying (LOD)
• Extractive value
• pH

Correct Answer: Loss on drying (LOD)

Q7. What does “total ash value” indicate in herbal standardization?

• Amount of volatile oils present
• Inorganic residue or total mineral content remaining after complete combustion
• Organic content remaining after extraction
• Microbial contamination level

Correct Answer: Inorganic residue or total mineral content remaining after complete combustion

Q8. Which test provides information about soluble constituents extractable by a given solvent from an Ayurvedic herb?

• Water activity
• Extractive value
• Particle size analysis
• Peroxide value

Correct Answer: Extractive value

Q9. Why is pH measurement important for Lehya formulations?

• To estimate particle size distribution
• To assess acidity or alkalinity affecting stability, taste and microbial growth
• To determine total ash content
• To quantify heavy metals

Correct Answer: To assess acidity or alkalinity affecting stability, taste and microbial growth

Q10. Which parameter is most relevant for assessing flow and spreadability of Lehya?

• Viscosity
• Total ash
• Loss on drying
• Flame test

Correct Answer: Viscosity

Q11. Which analytical technique is most suitable to study surface morphology of Bhasma particles?

• UV‑Visible spectrophotometry
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• GC‑MS
• Thin layer chromatography (TLC)

Correct Answer: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Q12. Which instrumental method confirms crystalline phases present in a Bhasma sample?

• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
• X‑Ray Diffraction (XRD)
• Polarimetry
• Microbiological culture

Correct Answer: X‑Ray Diffraction (XRD)

Q13. FTIR spectroscopy is used in standardization to:

• Measure particle size
• Detect functional groups and characterize organic constituents
• Determine total aerobic microbial count
• Quantify inorganic ash content

Correct Answer: Detect functional groups and characterize organic constituents

Q14. For fingerprinting and quantitative estimation of marker compounds in herbal preparations, which technique is commonly used?

• HPTLC
• Viscosity measurement
• Loss on ignition
• pH titration

Correct Answer: HPTLC

Q15. Which modern analytical technique is preferred for sensitive quantification of trace heavy metals in Ayurvedic Bhasma?

• Flame photometry
• ICP‑MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)
• Colorimetric pH paper
• Gravimetric ash analysis

Correct Answer: ICP‑MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry)

Q16. Which microbial test is critical to ensure safety of Churna for oral use?

• Determination of refractive index
• Total aerobic microbial count and absence of Salmonella and E. coli
• Loss on drying only
• Viscosity profiling

Correct Answer: Total aerobic microbial count and absence of Salmonella and E. coli

Q17. Organoleptic evaluation includes which of the following parameters for Ayurvedic formulations?

• Ash value and extractive value
• Color, odour, taste and texture
• XRD pattern and SEM images
• ICP‑MS heavy metal readings

Correct Answer: Color, odour, taste and texture

Q18. For accelerated stability testing of Ayurvedic formulations, which ICH‑aligned condition is commonly used?

• 5°C / 30% RH
• 25°C / 40% RH
• 40°C / 75% RH
• 60°C dry heat only

Correct Answer: 40°C / 75% RH

Q19. Which packaging is most appropriate for moisture‑sensitive Churna to maintain stability?

• Perforated paper bags
• Airtight moisture‑proof container with desiccant
• Open glass jar stored in sunlight
• Cloth sachets without sealing

Correct Answer: Airtight moisture‑proof container with desiccant

Q20. Which document provides official monographs and quality standards for Ayurvedic formulations in India?

• British Pharmacopoeia (BP)
• Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)
• United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
• European Pharmacopoeia (EP)

Correct Answer: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Q21. In preparation of many classical preparations, “Bhavana” refers to:

• Calcination at high temperature
• Repeated trituration with medicinal liquids to enhance potency and uniformity
• Drying under sunlight only
• Extraction with organic solvents

Correct Answer: Repeated trituration with medicinal liquids to enhance potency and uniformity

Q22. The term “Puta” in rasa shastra relates to:

• A solvent extraction technique
• A controlled heating/incineration cycle used during Bhasma preparation
• A sterility test for formulations
• A chromatographic separation method

Correct Answer: A controlled heating/incineration cycle used during Bhasma preparation

Q23. Which test result would be most affected if Churna has absorbed moisture during storage?

• HPTLC fingerprint remains unchanged
• Loss on drying will increase
• Total ash will significantly decrease
• XRD pattern of organic markers

Correct Answer: Loss on drying will increase

Q24. For quantification of arsenic content in an Ayurvedic Bhasma sample, which method is most suitable for trace detection?

• Titration with NaOH
• ICP‑MS
• Polarimetry
• Melting point determination

Correct Answer: ICP‑MS

Q25. Modern characterization often shows Bhasma particles predominantly in which size range?

• Centimeter range
• Millimeter range
• Nanometer to submicron range
• Meter scale aggregates

Correct Answer: Nanometer to submicron range

Q26. Which analytical parameter is particularly important for Lehya to control taste, sweetness and stability?

• Peroxide value
• Total soluble solids or Brix value
• Total ash
• Particle size distribution

Correct Answer: Total soluble solids or Brix value

Q27. Which test helps detect oxidative rancidity in formulations containing fats or essential oils (e.g., some Lehyas)?

• Peroxide value
• Acid insoluble ash
• pH meter reading
• HPTLC fingerprinting

Correct Answer: Peroxide value

Q28. Which regulatory or guidance document specifically addresses quality and safety considerations for traditional medicines including Ayurvedic formulations?

• ICH Q1A only
• WHO guidelines on good manufacturing practices for herbal medicines
• FDA NDA guidance for new chemical entities only
• Pharmacopoeia of a single country unrelated to Ayurveda

Correct Answer: WHO guidelines on good manufacturing practices for herbal medicines

Q29. Under GMP for Ayurvedic production, which practice is essential for ensuring consistent quality from batch to batch?

• Random undocumented changes in process
• Validated analytical methods and written SOPs
• Relying solely on organoleptic judgment without records
• Omitting stability testing for traditional products

Correct Answer: Validated analytical methods and written SOPs

Q30. Which label information is most critical to include for a standardized Ayurvedic formulation sold commercially?

• Only the trade name and decorative logo
• Complete ingredient list, batch number, manufacturing and expiry/retest date, storage conditions and directions for use
• Only the name of the manufacturer
• Only the price and barcode

Correct Answer: Complete ingredient list, batch number, manufacturing and expiry/retest date, storage conditions and directions for use

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