Analysis of physico-chemical characteristics of pauttika honey procured from Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background of the Study: Ayurveda has described eight kinds of honey with the different medicinal values that get change with the passage of time of one year. Pauttika honey is a specific kind of honey among the eight types of honey produced by Pauttika honey bee, which is indicated in the management of diabetes (Prameha), obesity (Sthaulaya), dyslipidemia, etc. Objective: To identify and standardize the type of honey and its honey bee on scientific parameters and the characteristics as mentioned in Ayurveda. Materials and Methods: Honey was procured from the natural honey hive and Standard methods were used for physico-chemical analysis, sensory evaluation, and color hunter test. Bee identification was done by an expert entomologist. Results: Analysis of honey, showed that procured honey was Pauttika type of honey as described in Ayurveda and bee was identified as Apis dorsata. Researchers also found some changes in the properties of honey after the one year like in pH, HMF, Color, and Sensory evaluation. Conclusion: The Physico-chemical analysis of honey samples confirmed the good quality of Pauttika honey produced by Apis dorsata also confirms a new variety of honey as mentioned in Ayurveda.