Aberrant in physicochemical properties, functional health and medicinal grades of honeys from different sales outlets in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background Honey is consumed for the derived benefits as sweetener, for healing wounds, skin burns, regulating blood sugar level, treatments of some ailments, etc. In Nigeria, adulteration of honey is a serious concern, and these adulterated or fake honeys have health implications. This research aims to compare and contrast the physicochemical qualities, functional health and medicinal values of honey samples from local honey parkers, supermarkets and beekeepers’ sales outlets in Southwest Nigeria. Results The darkness of the honey from the three sources was significantly different. The honey samples from the beekeepers have ash contents values of 0.25–1.0 in line with CAC and IHC, whereas 7(46.66\%) and 2(13.33\%) of honey samples from the supermarkets and local handlers/parkers, respectively, deviated from this standard values. The wound healing development after 8 days of topical treatment of incision wounds with honey from beekeepers shows a good development. 93.3\% of the honeys sourced from the beekeepers, 58.06 and 66.05\% of the honeys sourced from the supermarkets, and the local honey markets were found to be original. Conclusion The originality of honey for consumers’ satisfaction is dependent on the complimentary factors of physicochemical properties, functional health and medicinal values. These findings provide information for consumers’ awareness on categorization of honey as original/pure, adulterated and fake and the health implications.