March 17, 2023 3 min read
Manuka honey is a unique and highly sought-after honey that is produced in New Zealand from the nectar of Manuka flowers. It has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its reported health benefits and robust flavor profile. When it comes to measuring the potency of Manuka honey, there are two main rating systems: KFactor and MGO.
It is important to test Manuka Honey for quality assurance, authenticity, consistency, and reputation. It ensures that the honey is of high quality, free of contamination, and meets the necessary standards for consumption. Another key point is that testing helps to maintain the integrity of the product. This is important for consumers who rely on manuka honey for its potential health benefits. Overall, testing manuka honey is crucial to ensure that consumers get a high-quality and authentic product.
KFactor measures the pollen count in the honey, indicating the proportion of Manuka pollen in the honey. The higher the KFactor rating, the higher the proportion of Manuka pollen in the honey. This means that the honey has been sourced from an area where Manuka plants are abundant. KFactor Manuka honey is produced naturally without heat treatment or artificial methods, ensuring that it retains all of its natural enzymes and other beneficial properties.
The KFactor rating ranges from KFactor 12 to KFactor 16, with higher numbers indicating higher levels of purity and potency. Testing manuka honey for KFactor involves collecting a sample of the honey and using a microscope to count the number of pollen grains present. The percentage of manuka pollen is then calculated and used to assign a KFactor rating to the honey.
The following is a breakdown of the KFactor ratings for manuka honey:
Check out our KFactor Manuka Honey: https://www.naturalhealthworld.co.uk/product-category/specialist-honey-types/kfactor-honey/
Comparitively, MGO Manuka Honey is known for its high concentration of methylglyoxal. This is a compound believed to be responsible for the honey's antibacterial properties. MGO ratings measure the concentration of methylglyoxal in the honey, and the higher the MGO rating, the stronger the antibacterial properties of the honey. While MGO Manuka honey is beneficial for its antibacterial properties, some producers may heat-treat the honey to increase MGO content. This causes it to lose some of its natural enzymes and other beneficial properties. So, even if you think you're getting honey with a high MGO content, it might not be genuine.
The MGO rating system ranges from MGO 30+ to MGO 1000+, with higher numbers indicating higher antibacterial potency. Testing typically involves measuring the concentration of MGO in the honey using a range of techniques, including HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy.
The following is a breakdown of the MGO ratings for manuka honey:
Check out our MGO Manuka Honey: https://www.naturalhealthworld.co.uk/product-category/specialist-honey-types/mgo-honey/
In conclusion, both KFactor and MGO rating systems are used to measure the potency of Manuka honey. However, they measure different properties of the honey. Whil MGO Manuka honey may be beneficial for its antibacterial properties, KFactor Manuka honey is considered the superior choice. It is produced naturally without heat treatment to increase MGO content, ensuring that it retains all of its natural enzymes.
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