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Mahi:A Unique Traditional Herbal Ink of Early Assam


Affiliations
1 Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784 028, India
2 Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784 028, India
3 Department of Physics, Gauhati University, Guwahati 781 014, India
 

Mahi, a unique herbal ink prepared with cow urine as extractant, was used for manuscript writing in early Assam. The ink had a deep and fast colour and was persistent on Sancipat manuscripts due to its re-sistance to aerial oxidation and fungi. It was also non-corrosive unlike the corrosive acidic iron gall ink of contemporary Europe. The present study was aimed at analysing the physico-chemical properties of Mahi, including its special properties. The study includes phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial assay, UV-visible with fluorescence analysis, iron and copper estimation and identification of some polyphenols by HPLC-UV.

Keywords

Ancient Manuscripts, Physico-Chemical Properties, Spectroscopic Analysis, Traditional Herbal Ink.
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  • Mahi:A Unique Traditional Herbal Ink of Early Assam

Abstract Views: 291  |  PDF Views: 80

Authors

Barsha R. Goswami
Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784 028, India
Monoj K. Das
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784 028, India
Pranjal P. Das
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784 028, India
Tapas Medhi
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784 028, India
Anand Ramteke
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784 028, India
Simanta Hazarika
Department of Physics, Gauhati University, Guwahati 781 014, India
Robin K. Dutta
Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur-784 028, India

Abstract


Mahi, a unique herbal ink prepared with cow urine as extractant, was used for manuscript writing in early Assam. The ink had a deep and fast colour and was persistent on Sancipat manuscripts due to its re-sistance to aerial oxidation and fungi. It was also non-corrosive unlike the corrosive acidic iron gall ink of contemporary Europe. The present study was aimed at analysing the physico-chemical properties of Mahi, including its special properties. The study includes phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial assay, UV-visible with fluorescence analysis, iron and copper estimation and identification of some polyphenols by HPLC-UV.

Keywords


Ancient Manuscripts, Physico-Chemical Properties, Spectroscopic Analysis, Traditional Herbal Ink.



DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv112%2Fi03%2F591-595