Quality Evaluation of Awka Market Honey and Honey from Beekeepers in Two Floral Regions of Anambra State, Nigeria

J.E. Obiegbuna^1, , B.O. Osajiele¹ and C.N. Ishiwu¹

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
J.E. Obiegbuna, B.O. Osajiele and C.N. Ishiwu. Quality Evaluation of Awka Market Honey and Honey from Beekeepers in Two Floral Regions of Anambra State, Nigeria. American Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2017; 5(4):149-155. doi: 10.12691/ajfst-5-4-5

Abstract

Honey sold in Awka market is supplied from within and outside Anambra State, Nigeria. The quality from identified sellers in the market was evaluated and compared with honey from two floral regions in the state and some reported international standards. Analyses were carried out on the proximate composition, some mineral elements, physical properties, microbial counts and inhibition activities, and organoleptic qualities using standard methods. The parameter values of the market samples and samples from apiarists in the floral regions were found to be similar. The moisture content of the samples ranged between 8.42 and 10.52 g/ 100 g; protein, 0.70 and 1.27 g/ 100 g; ash, 0.40 and 0.60 g/100 g; fat, 0.14 and 0.20 g/ 100 g; and carbohydrate 87.80 and 89.19 g/ 100 g. In descending order, elemental mineral values of K, Ca, Na, Mg and Fe ranged from 47.77 to 54.86 mg/ 100 g, 4.21 – 6.04 mg/ 100 g, 3.82 – 4.28 mg/ 100 g, 2.11 – 3.40 mg/ 100 g and 0.54 – 1.09 mg/ 100 g, respectively. Hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) values of 13.62 and 10.28 g/ 100g were observed for floral regions of Adazi-Enu and Ikenga, respectively, but values of 23.26, 24.35 and 45.48 g/ 100 g for market samples 1, 2 and pharmshop, respectively. Market honey samples inhibition activity against P. aeroginosa was 4 cm as against 1 cm for floral region samples. The honey samples had inhibition activity against E. coli except one market sample with activity of 2.6 cm. Adazi-Enu floral region sample exhibited slightly above double the inhibition activity of 7.6 cm against S. aureus than the market samples (3.4 – 3.8 cm). Organoleptic qualities of the floral region samples were comparable to the market samples except the Pharmshop sample that was less acceptable. Except for HMF of pharmshop sample that exceeded international standard, parameters in all honey samples are within the standard and comparable indicating non adulteration of the samples.

Keywords:
Awka market floral region honey international standard quality

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