Ayurvedic formulations containing benzoic and ascorbic acids as additives: benzene formation during storage and impact of additives on quality parameters

Priyanka Sharma; Mukesh Maithani; Vikas Gupta; Parveen Bansal

doi:10.1515/jcim-2020-0012

Article

Ayurvedic formulations containing benzoic and ascorbic acids as additives: benzene formation during storage and impact of additives on quality parameters

Priyanka Sharma , Mukesh Maithani , Vikas Gupta and Parveen Bansal

Published/Copyright: August 3, 2020

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From the journal Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Volume 18 Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives

Ayurvedic formulations are becoming the prior choice of people as health care supplements. The increasing demand for these formulations has led to extensive development of Ayurvedic pharmaceutical industries worldwide. The reaction between the preservatives (sodium benzoates and ascorbic acid) used in these formulations could generate benzene. Benzene is classified as class-1 human carcinogen and responsible for various short and long term health effects.

Methods

In this study, 25 formulations (containing ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate) of various manufacturers available as over the counter products were obtained and their benzene content were determined using gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector.

Results

The result showed that 64% of the formulations were free from benzene contamination whereas 36% of formulations were found to be contaminated with benzene. A simple, less time-consuming, economic, and validated gas chromatographic method for estimation of benzene in Ayurvedic formulations was also developed successfully in present study.

Conclusions

The data revealed that the level of benzene was within permissible limits, yet the presence of a carcinogen in the marketed formulations intended for internal use is an alarming situation.

Keywords: ascorbic acid; Ayurvedic formulations; benzene; ICH; sodium benzoate

Corresponding author: Dr. Parveen Bansal, University Center of Excellence in Research, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab, India, E-mail: mukeshmaithani@gmail.com

Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.

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Received: 2020-03-03

Accepted: 2020-04-03

Published Online: 2020-08-03

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2020-0012

Keywords for this article

ascorbic acid; Ayurvedic formulations; benzene; ICH; sodium benzoate