Investigation Of Selected Physicochemical And Biochemical Parametrs Of Honey Samples Collected From Selected Districts Of Bench Shecko Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

In this study, selected physicochemical and biochemical properties of honey produced in Bench Shecko zone particularly in, South Bench, Semen Bench, and Gura Ferda districts were investigated. The honey samples were collected from different sub-union corporations and analyzed for selected physicochemical and biochemical parameters including pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, moisture content, water-insoluble solid, ash content, color, hydroxy methyl furfural, total sugars, reducing sugars, and non-reducing sugar contents. The obtained results demonstrated that pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, moisture content, water insoluble solid, ash content, color, HMF, total sugar, reducing sugar, and non-reducing sugar were found in the range 3.40 - 4.10; 38.33 - 50.00 meq/kg; 0.34 - 0.74 ms/cm; 19.33 - 22.33%; 0.12 – 0.22%; 0.17 - 0.21%; 32.07 - 92.29 mm Pfund; 46.53 - 67.68 mg/kg; 68.49 - 78.33%; 67.11 - 75.75%, and 1.00 - 3.73%, respectively. One-way ANOVA test (P < 0.05) indicated that there is a significant difference among honey samples, namely Gura Ferda, South Bench and North Bench honeys in terms of pH, color and HMF. The observed results also showed that honeys produced in the study area have analyzed physicochemical and biochemical property results within the acceptable range of the national and international standards. Seasonal study is recommended to confirm whether the major physicochemical and biochemical parameters lie within the standards at all seasons.