Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Mishra,

BAMS, M.Sc Biotech.BAMS, M.Sc Biotech.

Biotechayur Pvt.Ltd.Sergarh,Balasore, Odisha, India

Website – www.biotechayur.com

Herbal drugs For the Industrial/ R&D applications and endeavors we need to have following spheres of skills :-

1. Pharmacognosy - the study of the physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of drugs, drug substances or potential drugs or drug substances of natural origin as well as the search for new drugs from natural source .

Medical ethnobotany: the study of the traditional use of plants for Medical ethnobotany: the study of the traditional use of plants for medicinal purposes;

Ethnopharmacology: the study of the pharmacological qualities of traditional medicinal substances;

Phytotherapy (the medicinal use of plant extracts); and

Phytochemistry, the study of chemicals derived from plants (including the identification of new drug candidates derived from plant sources).

Zoopharmacognosy, the process by which animals self-medicate, by selecting and using plants, soils, and insects to treat and prevent disease.

Marine pharmacognosy, the study of chemicals derived from marine organisms.

2. Raw material test and analysis for the required active ingredients content.

3. Finished product test analysis for COA.

4. Microbiological test and analysis for pathogens (Yeast and Mould count E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Sp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa )

1. Lack of interest to gain knowledge in the above field .

2. Students are not exposed as frequent as to be experienced to handle the practical work related with these fields such as Analytical instruments( HPLC ,GC/LC-MS , HP-TLC and all sorts of gravimetric analysis etc).Probably may be due to scarcity in set up for those costly instruments .

3. Plant taxonomy and Phytochemistry may not be a palatable 3. Plant taxonomy and Phytochemistry may not be a palatable study for many of the students .

4. Many student during their study period focus merely upon the theory and securing marks and not upon the practical and realistic aspect about the utility of their study to society .

5. We really lack proper system in our technical education system to conduct a study/research in ethno botanical system .

6. Our educational system in most of the institutions are in such that it compels them to finish all the courses as per syllabus in a limited time deadline , which really kills the zest of study . This make a student to prepare only for a pass in the subjects by any way with a good mark only .

7. Even knowledgeable teachers are unable to contribute for their student due to lack of laboratory facilities .

8. Industries in poly herbal formulations or single herb extraction 8. Industries in poly herbal formulations or single herb extraction units need candidates with very specified skills but very or almost no laboratory of study institutes teach about those skills to students about protocol establishments of herbal extraction techniques which needs combination of knowledge of biochemistry and therapeutics application .

9. The importance of basic parameters such as pH , Total Dissolved Solid(TDS) ,Viscosity , Polarity or Non Polarity etc. are not well perceived by the students during their academic durations .

Knowledge about the therapeutic application of metals and metalloids .

Knowledge about bhasmas in Ayurveda System of Medicines has been defined as a substance obtained by calcinations.[ Bhasma is a calcined preparation in which the gem or metal is converted into ash. Gems or metals are purified to remove impurities and treated by triturating and macerating in herbal extracts. The dough so obtained is calcinated to obtain the ashes].

Bhasmikaran is a process by which a substance which is otherwise bio incompatible is made biocompatible by certain samskaras or bio incompatible is made biocompatible by certain samskaras or processes

Need to have deep knowledge about the pros and cons of metallic drugs in different formulations .

Should have expert knowledge in terms and terminologies related to Ayurveda system of medicines .( Various steps involved in the preparation of bhasma(or bhasmikaran) are:- 1) Shodhan -Purification, 2) Maran - Powdering, 3) Chalan- Stirring, 4) Dhavan- Washing, 5) Galan- Filtering, 6) Putan- Heating, 7) Mardan-Triturating, 8) Bhavan- Coating with herbal extract, 9) Amrutikaran- Detoxification and 10) Sandharan- Preservation)

Philosophy of Ayurveda and this unique medical science is believed to be more than 5,000 years old . The description and illustration of physiology and mechanism of action of drugs have own system of science and many aspects of this ancient system yet to be predicted as per our modern system . So we need deep knowledge of Ayurveda .

Now in modern days we need to detect the heavy metals and metalloids in Ayurvedic proprietary drugs which needs AAS/ ICP-MS etc.

We need combination of biotechnology and Ayurveda to develop more promising life saving drugs for future and also to save the treasure trove of knowledge in our ancient heritage of medical science .

1. The students need to have a good knowledge in handling AAS/ICP-MS.

2. Knowledge in both clinical and research field ( A student need to be an Ayurvedic Physicians and also should have knowledge in biotechnology /Clinical research ) .

3. Approximately 6 years of BAMS course related to medical 3. Approximately 6 years of BAMS course related to medical fraternity and again a course of M.Sc. in biotechnology or Biochemistry etc. is quite an unacceptable option for a student .

4. Ayurveda a branch of medical science(WHO recognized and CCIM) is often ignored and considered to be inferior by the students due to many myths and misconception .

5. The students should have the aim and objectives to conduct research and development in Ayurvedic fraternity with the cross sectarian knowledge in biotechnology /biochemistry etc.

Thank you