Study of Physicochemical Characteristics of Some Honey Samples Collected from Setif in Algeria

Abstract

The research was carried out to determine the physicochemical quality aspects of three samples of honey that were collected from different regions of Setif and one imported honey sample was purchased in store. The statistical design adopted in this study is one way completely randomized with three repetitions. Water content, total sugar, refractive index, Density, Total soluble solids, Potential of hydrogen (pH), Conductivity, Ash, and free acidity were assessed for evaluating honey samples. This study aims to compare the quality parameters between the local products (three samples) and imported honey (one sample). The values of all physic-chemical parameters of both local and imported honey samples are within the quality limits set in world legislation and the ANOVA analysis proved a significant difference (p<0.05) among the samples tested for all parameters except free acidity. The Water content and total sugar are the important parameters for honey quality evaluation. The values of water content varied from 16.5 to 18 %, the lowest value registered by the local sample Sidr honey, low water content indicates a good quality honey. Water content and Relative density (specific gravity) are correlated and are used as a measure of adulteration in honey. Electrical conductivity is used as an indicator for quality control to distinguish floral honey from honeydew honey. The values of conductivity varied from 180 to 314.66 µS/cm, this difference could be due to the dependency of electrical conductivity on ash, organic acids, and some complex sugars and varies with botanical origin (< 800 µS/cm). The content of Ash ranged from 0.033 to 0.155 %. Both electrical conductivity and crude ash analyses are frequently used in honey quality inspections. In conclusion, the result of this study indicated that honey samples collected from eastern Algeria, Setif, were mostly of good quality.