Study on Quality Control Indicators and Medicinal Value of Vitex Honey

  OBJECTIVE  To evaluate the quality control indicators and medicinal value of Vitex Honey.

  METHODS  Vitex honey samples from Du'an area of Guangxi in the past four years were collected, and their physicochemical characteristics and effects on the loperamide hydrochloride-induced transmission disorder constipation mouse models were studied.

  RESULTS  The pollen grains of the Vitex Honey were mainly from Vitex flower, with a stable water content of less than 20%, conductivity below 0.8 mS·cm^-1, pH between 3.67 and 3.93, free acid 27.3 to 32.3 meq·kg^-1, lactones 15.6 to 21.5 meq·kg^-1, total acid 35.4 to 53.7 meq·kg^-1, amylase 17.6 to 21.5 U, hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) 3.3 to 11.6 mg·kg^-1, total phenolic content 450 to 650 mg·kg^-1, and total flavonoid content 16.3 to 26.6 mg·kg^-1, DPPH clearance EC₅₀ ranges from 67.5 to 90.1 mg·mL^-1. The results of thin layer identification research showed that Vitex honey exhibited different characteristic spectra compared to more than ten other types of honey, but Vitex honey exhibited relatively consistent spectral characteristics in different years; daily intaking of different concentrations of honey aqueous solution significantly improved and alleviated the constipation symptoms of loperamide hydrochloride-induced transmission disorder constipation in mice.

  CONCLUSION  This study provides a beneficial exploration for the formulation of various quality standards for Vitex honey at all levels and the study of its medicinal value, in order to provide a basis for subsequent standard formulation and product development.