Physicochemical Properties of Honey Produced in the Homesha District of Western Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to characterize honey produced in the Homesha district in Western Ethiopia. The effects of location and hive type on the quality of honey produced in the area were assessed. A total of 20 honey samples were collected from four locations in the district. The overall mean (±SD) contents of reducing sugars, sucrose, pH, moisture, ash, hydroxymethylfurfural, acidity and water-insoluble solids of the honey samples analyzed were 65 ± 3.02%, 6.1 ± 3.4%, 4.02 ± 0.26, 16.4 ± 1.07%, 0.17 ± 0.07%, 1.8 ± 0.24 mg/kg, 23.9 ± 7.4 meq/kg and 0.09 ± 0.14%, respectively. The sucrose content of honey samples purchased from the market was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the sucrose contents of honey samples collected from other locations. Hive type significantly (p<0.05) influenced the contents of moisture, HMF and water-insoluble solids of honey samples. It can be concluded that honey produced in the Homesha district is of good quality and can meet the national and international market demands.