Abstract

INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND BIOACTIVE PROPERTIES OF HONEY FROM THE RAIGAD DISTRICT OF MAHARASHTRA STATE

Dr. Kalpit Mhatre* and Alok Gude

Abstract

Honey is defined as the natural sweet substance produced by honey bees from the nectars of plant flowers and honey dew. The present paper deals with the investigation of physic-chemical and bioactive properties of different honey samples collected from different parts of the district. Raigad district shows presence of 15 tehsils. Honey samples from the wild were collected from all the 15 tehsils and investigation of parameters such as viscosity, specific gravity, electrical conductivity, glucose, sucrose, fructose, pH, colour intensity, moisture, ash, total protein content was done. The present study reveals that all the honey samples collected from 15 tehsils in the Raigad district of the Maharashtra State are of good quality and hence suitable for consumption. This type of study will definitely be helpful in understanding the characteristics of local honey and thus would help in commercialization of honey in the local market. Commercialization will lead to the skill development program among the individuals and thus will help in generating income thus contributing the economy of the country.

Keywords: Honey, Physical properties, Chemical analysis, Wild sample.