Quality Analysis of Bee Honeys

Abstract

Each honey is unique on the basis of chemistry, quantity and combination of the various components that attributes towards its quality. The control and characterization of quality are of great importance and interest in apiculture. Henceforth the present study analyzed the quality parameters of honeys from different bee origin and compared the results with the quality criteria laid by European Union Directive for honeys. Processing was noted to have detrimental effect on several quality parameters of honeys; in spite of which it was remarkably within the critical limits. Moisture and electrical conductivity were within the limits as specified by EU, while slight elevation was noticed in honeys viz., Apis mellifera and Apis florea in their ash content, sucrose content and acidity. Hydroxymethyl furfural content and diastase activity of the honeys were within the levels of EU directive. The microbial analysis indicated that none of the honeys analyzed were infested with pathogenic coliforms.