Evaluation of Pharmacological Applications of Honey

Abstract

1.1 Background: Honey is a complex mixture of concentrated sugar solution with main ingredients of fructose and glucose and any honey depends largely on the source of the nectar. 1.2. Objectives: To assess physicochemical properties and biological activities of ten honey samples collected from different regions of Karnataka in vitro. 1.3. Methods: Physical, chemical and biological properties studied using standard protocols. 1.4. Results: The colour of the samples varied from white to dark amber. The pH of the samples varies from 3.2 to 5.59. The electric conductivity falls between 1.100mS/cm to 0.177mS/cm. The protein content of honey sample ranges between 0.73±0.041mg/g and 0.08±0.06mg/g. The total sugar content in the honey samples were 1.9-9.75mg/g. The total phenol content in honey from Rubber tree plantation showed least (11.45 mg/100g) and highest content was recorded from honey samples of Arecanut tree plantations (84.17mg/100g). The radical scavenging activity of the honey samples varied from 24.92±1.535% to 56.46±0.462%. The FRAP antioxidant activity varied from 23.64± 1.767mg/100g to 3.58±0.424mg/100g. All the honey samples have been shown the zone of inhibition against the bacterial strains. Numerous varieties of pollen grains were seen in honey samples and their species were identified. 1.5. Conclusion: The present study revealed different properties of honey samples which were varied as per their collection place and associated plants which can be used for their applications in pharmacology.