MGO (Methylglyoxal), NPA (Non-Peroxide Activity) and UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) are three different standards for grading Manuka honey. Each rating number presents the quality of Manuka honey and identifies the quantity of active properties.

 

MGO is produced when bees convert nectar to honey. Different species of Manuka plant contain different quantity of DHA - a precursor of MGO in nectar of Manuka flower, which determines the different grade of MGO. The higher DHA quantity the nectar has, the higher MGO density in Manuka Honey.

Higher MGO rating number represents higher activity and purity of the Manuka honey. (The University of Dresden, Germany, first discovered the key role of Methylglyoxal) 

 

NPA (Non-Peroxide Activity) was used as Manuka Honey standard before MGO was discovered. Scientists, at that time, found an active property in Manuka honey that had similar antibiotics effect as peroxide property performs in normal honey. The difference is that the antibiotics effect from Manuka honey is from the honey's non-peroxide activity. Since then, NPA became an indicator for rating the activity of Manuka honey. 

 

UMF (Unique Manuka Factor), is a standard and also a certified trademark that was created in New Zealand. UMF combines multiple indicators of Leptosperin, DHA (a precursor of MGO in nectar of Manuka flower), MGO and HMF(Hydroxymethylfurfural).

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Niche Valley Manuka Honey use MGO rating system only. This is because not all species of Manuka tree have MGO, and MGO is the key indicator for rating the activity of Manuka honey.

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Ratings Table among MGO, NPA and UMF and Use Guide of Niche Valley Manuka Honey