A pollen analysis of 11 honey samples from Khammam district has been carried out. According to the pollen spectra found, most of them are unifloral (10); 1 sample multifloral. Thirty-two different pollen types were recorded, belonging to 20 families. Twenty-one plants recorded from the honey samples are used as medicinal plants in folklore and tribal medicine

Reddy, A. Vijaya Bhasker

Reddy, P. Ramachandra

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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 452-460. 2008.  Occurrence of Medicinal Plant Pollen in Apis cerana Honeys of Khammam District,Andhra Pradesh, India A.Vijaya Bhasker Reddy and P.Ramachandra Reddy Department of BotanyP.G.College of ScienceSaifabad, Hyderabad-500004 Issued 1 July 2008 ABSTRACT            A pollen analysis of 11 honey samples from Khammam district has been carried out. According to the pollenspectra found, most of them are unifloral (10); 1 sample multifloral. Thirty-two different pollen types were recorded,belonging to 20 families. Twenty-one plants recorded from the honey samples are used as medicinal plants infolklore and tribal medicine.Key words: Honey, Khammam district, Unifloral, Multifloral. INTRODUCTION            Melissopalynology, one of the branches of palynology, finds a very significant application in the field ofapiculture for recognizing the nectar sources and botanical origin of honey (Ramanujam 1994). In the present work,11 squeezed honey samples of Apis cerana collected from the Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh have beenanalyzed to determine their botanical origin and medicinal properties of the plants recovered. Many of the plantsrecorded as bee forage plants are used as medicinal plants in folklore literature. This flower nectar contains Alkaloidand Phenolic compounds. Baker, 1977, identified these chemicals in many of the tropical flowers nectar. Whileforaging on these flowering plants, bees gather the honey mixed with these chemical compounds. Hence, the honeywould also have the medicinal property. In folklore medicine, this honey is used for controlling the variousdiseases.  MATERIAL AND METHODS            The major objectives of the study were to document the bee forage plants of Apis cerana and the medicinaluses of the recorded flora from the honey samples. Eleven squeezed honey samples were collected from the variousmandals of the Khammam district. For preparation of the palynoslides 5 cc of the honey was diluted in 10cc ofwater and centrifuged. The resultant sediment was treated with 5 cc glacial acetic acid. Subsequently the acetic acidwas removed and the material was subjected to traditional acetolysis technique (Erdtman, 1960). To analyze thepollen contents, three pollen slides were prepared for each sample and examined. Pollen types were identified as faras possible to the genus or species level with the help of reference slide collection of the local flora and relevantliterature (Kiritikar, K.R. & Basu, B.D, 1995). Frequencies and frequency classes of the pollen types weredetermined in accordance with Louveaux et al. (1978). Medicinal uses of the plants were identified through theliterature and gathered from experienced and aged persons. The enumeration of plants includes botanical name,followed by name of the family, local name in Khammam district and the uses of different plant parts were recorded.  OBSERVATIONS Pollen analysis:            Winter samples show the presence of pollen referable to Melilotus alba (Fabaceae), Evolvulus alsinoides(Convolvulaceae), Mimosa hamata (Mimosaceae), Feronia elephantum (Rutaceae), Sesamum indicum(Pedaliaceae), Zizyphus mauritiana (Rhamnaceae), Borassus flabellifer (Aricaceae), Erythrina indica (Fabaceae),Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae), Crotalaria juncea (Fabaceae), Capsicum frutiscens (Solanaceae), Xanthiumstrumarium (Asteraceae), Alternanthera sessilis (Amaranthaceae), Amaranthus viridis (Amaranthaceae), Cocciniaindica (Cucurbitaceae), Celosia argentea (Amaranthaceae), Aspidopteris indica, Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae). Ofthese, the pollen of Melilotua alba (47%), Ageratum conyzoides (57.5%), Aspidopteris indica (82.5%) beingrepresented by more than 45% and referred as predominant pollen type. Further these honeys are known asMelilotus, Aspidopteris, Ageratum honeys. The pollen of Crotalaria juncea (20%) represents the secondary pollentype. Other pollen types are placed under important minor and minor pollen categories.            Summer honeys consist of number of pollen types referable to Phoenix sylvestris, Capsicum frutiscens,Borassus flabellifer, Coccinia indica, Tridax procumbens, Capparis grandis, Dillenia pentagyna, Syzygium cumini,Chrozophora indica, Schleichera oleosa, Terminalia arjuna, Acacia nilotica, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Zizyphusxylocarpa, Sapindus emarginatus, Gardenia lucida, Guazuma ulmifolia, Madhuca indica, Bombax ceiba, Feroniaelephantum, Strychnos potatoram, Croton bonplandianum, Azadirachta indica. Of these, the pollen of Phoenixsylcestris (53.75-83.75%), Dillenia pentagyna (90%), Schleichera oleosa (53.75%), Gardenia lucida (47.5%) beingrepresented by more than 45% of the palynoassemblage of the summer honey samples are represented to thepredominant pollen types. These honeys are designated as the Phoenix, Dillenia, Schleichera, Gardenia honeys. Table 1: pollen analysis of Apis cerana honeys of Khammam district. WINTER SAMPLES: 1.C-K-K-10-9-05 (Chintoor -Mandal, Katukapalli-Village, Khammam-District)              P-Melilotus alba-47%,  S- NIL, I- Evolvulus -14%, Mimosa hamata-11.25%,                        Feronia- 11.5%,  Sesamum--4.25%, M- Zizyphus -2.75%, Borassus- 1%,                 Erythrina -0.75%,2.B-B-K- 20-12-06(Badrachalam-Mandal, Bhudevipeta-Village, Khammam-District)                P- Ageratum conyzoides-  57.5%, S- Crotalaria juncea- 20%, I- Capsicum –                    11.75%, M- Xanthium -2%, Alternanthera -1.75%, Amaranthus -1.5%,                    Coccinia-1.5%,  Celosia -0.75%3.B-N-K-16-10-07(Bhurghampad-Mandal, Nagaram-Village, Khammam-District)              P- Aspidopteris indica- 82.5%, S- NIL, I- Mimosa hamata-9.5%, Psidium -8%               M-NILSUMMER SAMPLES: 4.B-C-K-15-3-05 (Badrachalam-Mandal, Chodavaram-Village, Khammam-District)                P-Phoenix sylvestris-83.75%, S-Nil, I-Capsicum -10.25%, M-Borassus –                    2.75%, Coccinia-1.33%, Tridax -0.66%, Capparis -0.75%.                                                         5.C-B-K-2-4-07 (Chintoor-Mandal, Bodugudem-Village, Khammam-District)                 P- Dillenia pentagyna-90%, S-  NIL, I-  Syzygium -6.25%, Chrozophora -                      3.75%, M-NIL6.C-N-K-10-4-07 (Chintoor-Mandal, Nellipaka-Village, Khammam-District)           P-Dillenia pentagyna- 58.75%, S- Schleichera oleosa-24.50%, I- Terminalia - 3%           M- Acacia -2.5%, Lagerstroemia-1.25%.7.V-B-K-20-3-07 (Velurupad-Mandal, Banjara-Village, Khammam-District)          P- Schleichera oleosa-53.75%, S- NIL, I- Zizyphus -15%, Sapindus -10%,              Capparis -7.5%, Terminalia -6.25%, Syzygium- 5%, M- Borassus -2.5%.8.K-B-K-1-4-07 (Kuknur-Mandal, Barlamadugu- Village, Khammam-District)      P- Gardenia Lucida-47.5%, S- Schleichera - 38%, I- Lagerstroemia -7.5%, Zizyphus            -5%, M- Acacia- 2%.9.B-R-K-5-4-07 (Burgampad-Mandal, Rudramkota- Village, Khammam-District)      P- NIL, S- Schleichera oleosa-18%, I- Zizyphus -13.75%, Dillenia-11%, Syzygium               - 10%, Terminalia -7.5%, Borassus -6.75%, Guazuma -6.25%, Tridax-6.25%,                Melilotus - 5%, Madhuca -4.25%, Bombax-3.75%, Lagerstroemia –3.75%,          M-  Feronia -2%, Strychnos -1.75%.10.M-T-K-3-4-07 (Mulkalapalli-Mandal, Togudem- Village, Khammam-District)      P- Schleichera -80%, S- NIL, I- Sapindus -6.25%, Croton-7.50%, Borassus -5%,      M- Bombax ceiba-1.25%,11.M-M-K-7-4-7 (Mulkalapalli-Mandal, Madavaram- Village, Khammam-District)      P- Schleichera oleosa-72.5%, S- NIL, I- Lagerstroemia -8.75%, Azadirachta -            8.75%, Terminalia -5%, Strychnos -5%, M-NIL.P- Predominant pollen, S- Secondary pollen, I- Important minor pollen, M- Minor pollen MEDICINAL USES 1. Ageratum conyzoides L.    Family: Asteraceae    Local name: Midaku    Uses: plant antihelimintic, Antipyretic, haemostatic, styptic; and used for                 burns, colic, cuts, headache, and uterine problems. 2. Acacia nilotica L.    Family: Mimosaceae    Local name: Tumma    Uses: bark extract is applied externally to cure wounds. Gum and bark paste applied                over a wound will heal. 3. Alternanthera sessilis L.    Family: Amaranthaceae    Local name: Mullabanthi    Uses: whole plant is used as lactagogue. The leaf and root extract is given internally              with honey for stomachache.    4. Amaranthus viridis L.    Family: Amaranthaceae    Local name: Thotakura    Uses: the root is considered diuretic, laxative, and galactagogue. The decoction is             given for retention of urine and gonorrhea; Root paste is applied for curing piles. 5. Azadirachta indica A.Juss.    Family: Meliaceae    Local name: Vepa    Uses: the bark is bitter; anthelmintic, relives bad taste in the mouth, cough; cures ulcers               and inflammations. The leaves are anthelmintic, insecticidal, and good in skin              diseases.  6. Bombax ceiba L.    Family: Bombacaceae    Local name: Buruga    Uses: the gum is bitter; astringent, styptic, aphrodisiac; used in stomatitis, diseases of              blood, burning of the body. 7. Cardiospermum halicacabum L.     Family: Sapindaceae     Local name: Butta thiga     Uses: The plant is diuretic, emetic, laxative, rubefacient; and used for chest pain and                   leaf juice is used for earache. 8. Celosia argentea L.     Family: Amaranthaceae     Local name: Gunugu     Uses: the seeds are useful in diarrhea, mouth sores. The leaves are antipyretic,               aphrodisiac; reduce inflammations, strengthen the liver; useful in gonorrhea. 9. Croton bonplondianum Baill.     Family: Euphorbiaceae     Local name: Galivana     Uses: the watery latex is used for skin diseases. 10. Capsicum frutiscens L.    Family: Solanaceae    Local name: Mirapa    Uses: the fruits are used in spices and condiments. 11. Coccinia indica Wt. & Arn.      Family: Cucurbitaceae      Local name: Kaki donda      Uses: leaf juice mixed with castor oil is used for body pains; leaves are boiled in                castor oil and applied externally in psoriasis, itch.  12. Dillenia pentagyna Roxb.    Family: Dilleniaceae    Local name: Ravidi    Uses: fruits are laxative and used in abdominal pains. 13. Erythrina indica Lamk.    Family: Fabaceae    Local name: Badisa    Uses: the bark is used in dysentery; leaves are bitter, hot, stomachic, anthelmintic;              improve appetite; flowers are used ear troubles. 14. Evolvulus alsinoides L.      Family: Convolvulaceae      Local name: vishnukrantha      Uses: the leaves and roots are used in medicine by the local tribe (Konda Reddy).                Leaves are made into cigarettes and smoked in chronic bronchitis and asthma;                 root is used in intermittent fever in children. 15. Feronia elephantum Corr.      Family: Rutaceae      Local name: Velaga      Uses: the fruit is sour, sweet; refrigerant, cardio tonic, tonic to the liver and the lungs,                 astringent diuretic; the juice is good for stomatitis and sore throat; topically it                 relives the pain due to stings of bees and wasps. 16. Gardenia Lucida Roxb.      Family: Rubiaceae      Local name: Karinguva      Uses: the yellow resin is used to suppress warts. 17. Lagerstroemia Parviflora Roxb.      Family: Lythraceae      Local name: konekomma      Uses: leaves are used for throat irritation 18. Lannea coramandelica Houtt.      Family: Anacardiaceae      Local name: Buushi       Uses: the bark and the leaves are used in ulcers. 19. Madhuca indica J.F. Gmel.      Family: Sapotaceae      Local name: Ippa      Uses: the milky juice from the bark is astringent; the flower is aphrodisiac, good in               heart diseases, cures burning sensation; the leaves are boiled in water, and                given as cure for several skin diseases. The honey from the flowers is used in                the treatment of eye diseases.  20. Melilotus alba Desr.      Family: Fabaceae      Local name: china mentha      Uses: leaf paste is externally applied for pains and aches. 21. Mimosa hamata Lamk.      Family: Mimosaceae      Local name: Korindum      Uses: leaves are applied to burns. 22. Psidium guajava L.      Family: Myrtaceae      Local name: Jama      Uses: leaves are used for wounds and ulcers; leaves are chewed for toothache. Leaf                 and bark extract is used in epilepsy. 23. Schleichera oleosa Lour.      Family: Sapindaceae      Local name: Poosuga      Uses: Bark paste supported by bamboo sticks is applied to cure fractured bones. For                 early relief, this treatment should also be accompanied by oral use of bark juice                twice a day. Bark also used for skin diseases, ulcers 24. Sapindus emarginatus L.      Family: Sapindaceae      Local name: Kunkudu      Uses: the seeds pounded with water are given in epilepsy. 25. Strychnos potatorum L.      Family: Loganiaceae      Local name: Chilla      Uses: the seeds are used to clear turbid water; astringent to the bowels, diuretic; the                root cures all kinds of leucoderma. 26. Terminalia arjuna W. & A. Prodr.      Family: Combretaceae      Local name: Tellamaddi      Uses: the bark is antidysenteric; useful in fractures, ulcers, urinary discharges; ashes                of plant parts applied for wounds and cuts. 27. Tridax procumbens L.       Family: Asteraceae       Local name: Railu rodda       Uses: the juice of leaves is applied externally to cure wounds and cuts. 28. Xanthium strumarium L.      Family: Asteraceae      Local name: Marulamatangi      Uses: the plant is diaphoretic, sedative and used for chronic cases of malaria; the root                is bitter and toxic. 29. Zizyphus mauritiana L.      Family: Rhamnaceae      Local name: Regu      Uses: the bark cures boils; good in dysentery and diarrhea, dry fruits removes                impurities from the blood.  DISCUSSIONThe results of the pollen analysis of the 11 honey samples from Khammam district indicate that Melilotus alba,Ageratum conyzoides, and Aspidopteris indica constitute the chief nectar source during winter; extensive distributionof Schleichera oleosa furnished the chief sources of nectar, followed by Phoenix sylvestris, Gardenia lucida, andDillenia pentagyna during summer for Apis cerana. It has also been noted that most of the pollen types encounteredin winter samples are from herbaceous taxa whereas in summer from tree taxa. The present study highlighted thefollowing melliferous taxa, which are characteristic elements of the forest, as fairly reliable nectar sources for bees:Dillenia pentagyna, Schleichera oleosa, Gardenia lucida, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Terminalis arjuna, Feroniaelephantum, Strychnos potatorum, Zizyphus xylocarpa,Syzygium cumini.      Our studies on medicinal properties of the plants recorded from the honey samples indicate that many of theplants are being used as medicinal plants by the local practitioners and tribal people (Koya and Konda Reddy). However, the authors are of the opinion that the medicinal properties of the honey are attributable to the fact that thepollen comes from medicinal plants. An in depth study, mainly experimental with clinical efficacy of these plantsand honeys is essential in many cases. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS            The authors are grateful to Prof. C.G.K. Ramanujam for his kind cooperation and guidance in the preparationof this research article. We are also thankful to Prof. YNR Varma and Prof. H.Ramakrishna for their valuablesuggestions. REFERENCESBaker, H.G. 1977. Non-sugar components of nectar. Apidologie, 8: 349-356. Erdtman, G 1960. The acetolysis method. A revised description. Svens.bot.tidskr. 54:         561-564. Kiritikar, K.R. & Basu, B.D, 1995. In Indian medicinal plants. Volume I-IV. Louveaux, J, Maurizio, A & Vorwohol, G 1978. Methods of melissopalynology. Bee        world 59: 139-157. Ramanujam C.G.K. 1994, Forage source for rock bees during may-july in deciduous forest of Ranga Reddy district,A.P. Geophytology, 24(1): 119-122.      

Occurrence of Medicinal Plant Pollen in \u3cem\u3eApis cerana\u3c/em\u3e Honeys of Khammam District, Andhra

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Occurrence of Medicinal Plant Pollen in \u3cem\u3eApis cerana\u3c/em\u3e Honeys of Khammam District, Andhra

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