Physicochemical Characterization and Pesticide Residue Analysis of Honey Produced in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigated physicochemical properties and pesticide residue levels of honey from West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. The results of moisture, electrical conductivity, pH, free acidity, reducing sugar, sucrose, ash, and total solids were found to be 16.61–18.64%, 0.384–0.646 mS/cm, 3.77–4.22, 7.42–13.87 meq/kg, 61.38–72.87%, 6.84–15.94%, 0.030–0.095%, and 81.36–83.28%, respectively. Correlation analysis has shown moderate positive correlation at P < 0.01 between sucrose and ash (r = 0.555), and a strong negative correlation between moisture and total solids (r = -0.9171). Residues of 4,4-DDD, 4,4- DDT, Dieldrin, α-Endosulfan, and β-Endosulfan were detected, among 20 organochlorine pesticides analyzed. Most physicochemical parameters have been found within the acceptable range set by national and international standards except sucrose content from Ejere and Toke Kutaye. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of pesticides identified in samples were below acceptable daily intakes (ADIs), that indicate honey ingesting has a negligible influence to toxicological risk.