Sustainable utilization of Mahua flowers: A multi-product approach for tribal economic upliftment

For indigenous tribes, mahua flowers (Madhuca latifolia, M. indica) are culturally and economically important. In addition to examining effective collection techniques, this study looked into the possibility of value-added goods made from flowers. The two approaches to flower collecting-handpicking and net deployment-were contrasted. An examination of the nutritional makeup of both fresh and dried flowers was done. A syrup made of aqueous extract was created and the sugar profile was measured while fetching greater prices of up to Rs. 120 from Rs. 30-40 per kilogram. Net collection dramatically reduced collection time by 30 minutes versus 4-6 hours. Mahua flowers were discovered to be an excellent source of carbohydrates and after drying, notable changes in moisture and fat content were noted. The created syrup's sugar profile which included fructose, glucose and sucrose was favourable. The effective production of all formulated food products demonstrated the flower's adaptability. This study proved that collecting mahua flowers by net was a profitable and effective way. The developed multi-product approach utilizes 95% of the flowers currently used for liquor production, creating new economic opportunities for tribal communities. The research promotes the mahua flower's sustainable utilization and paves the way for a commercially viable product line.