Gold found in Gir cow urine: Junagadh Agricultural University Scientists

After four years of extensive research scientists at the Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) find gold in the urine of the Gir cow.

The Food Testing Laboratory of JAU tested 400 samples of the cow's urine which tested positive for presence of gold. Test figures showed the presence of the precious metal ranging from 3 to 10 mg per liter of urine. However, the yellow metal found in the urine samples were in an ionic state, which is salts soluble in water.

The research team led by Dr BA Golakia, head of JAU's biotechnology department, used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method to analyze the urine samples. He told that gold from the Gir cow's urine can be extracted and solidified through chemical processes.

"Till now, we have heard about presence of gold in cow urine from our ancient scriptures and its medicinal properties. Since there was no detailed scientific analysis to prove this, we decided to undertake a research on cow urine. We analyzed 400 samples of Gir cow urine and found traces of gold," Golakia is reported to have said.

Urine samples of buffaloes, camels, sheep, and goats too were screened, but these samples did not carry any antibiotic elements. The cow's urine was found to contain 5,100 compounds of which 388 possess immense medicinal value. Now, urine samples of all indigenous Indian cow breeds will be tested for the same purpose.

The JAU is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing Calibration Laboratories (NABL). The lab, which is a joint venture of JAU Union ministry of food processing industries, Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC), conducts about 50,000 tests every year on various products. These products include items of exports, dairy items, vegetables, pulses, oil seeds, honey, pesticide residuals and other commodities.

The lab is currently working on use of Gir cow's urine on human and plant pathogens, Golakia said.