Comparative Quality Assessment of Murchita Tila Taila Focusing on Market Samples

Introduction: Sneha Kalpana is a vital Ayurvedic pharmaceutic process, wherein lipid-based formulations are prepared using medicinal herbs. Tila Taila (sesame oil) is frequently used, and Sneha Murchana is performed prior to detoxify the oil and enhance its stability. Materials and Methods: An in-house Murchita Tila Taila was prepared following classical Sneha Murchana procedures as per Ayurvedic Formulary of India. It was compared with three market samples from GMP-certified pharmacies. Physicochemical parameters—refractive index, specific gravity, saponification value, acid value, iodine value, and rancidity—were assessed per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India at a certified Drug Testing Laboratory. Results: All samples, including market and in-house Murchita Tila Taila, showed similar organoleptic properties and comparable refractive index (1.482–1.483), specific gravity (0.915–0.917), saponification (192.57–210.27), acid values (1.55–2.78), and tested negative for rancidity, indicating acceptable quality and shelf life. However, iodine values varied significantly, with market samples (107.85–123.11) showing higher unsaturation than the in-house sample (57.84), which may influence therapeutic efficacy. Discussion: The absence of standardized parameters for herbal formulations often leads to substandard products, affecting their efficacy. This study compared key physicochemical parameters of market-available Murchita Tila Taila with a genuine in-house sample. The following parameters were evaluated: specific gravity, rancidity, iodine value, acid value, refractive index, and saponification value. While most values were comparable and no rancidity was detected, market samples showed significantly higher iodine values, indicating greater unsaturation that may impact therapeutic effects. The traditional Sneha Murchana process enhances oil stability and quality, highlighting the need for standardization to ensure consistent safety and efficacy in herbal oils.