Analysis of Trace and Essential Elements, Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds in Libyan Honey Samples Collected from Misurata Markets

Abstract

Honey is a popular natural food product with a very complex composition comprising both organic and inorganic constituents. The composition of particular honey is strongly influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors, which vary based on its botanical and geographical origins. It is observed that although the honey which are produced in Libya are of a good quality, it does contain heavy metals. The contents of the metals found in Libyan honey samples were found to be between 465.1-792 mg/kg for Na, 1100.8-1781.6 mg/kg for K, 927.79-1186.6 mg/km for Ca, 0.0033- 0.0177 mg/kg for Cd, 0.0029- 0.0241mg/kg for Pb, 0.0012- 0.0042mg/kg for Cr, 0.004-0.032 mg/kg for Cu, 0.72-1.37 mg/kg for Ni and 3.677-7.430 mg/kg for Zn. These results indicated that the quality of the Libyan honey samples tested was very good and matched the world standard properties of honey. Also, the Libyan honey samples examined have a high level of phenolic (792- 99 mg/kg ) and flavonoid (1012-687mg/kg) compounds compared with other honey

Keywords

• Libyan Honey
• Heavy Metal
• Flavonoid Compounds
• Phenolic Compounds
• Misurata