Physico-Chemical Properties of Honey Produced In Masha, Gesha, and Sheko Districts in Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

The qualities of 36 selected honey samples from three locations of Southwest Ethiopia (Masha, Gesha and Sheko districts) were evaluated for six physico-chemical attributes namely total acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), reducing sugars, sucrose, moisture and mineral content. The samples of honey were analyzed following the techniques proposed by the Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE), European Union (EU) and Codex standards for honey. The results obtained showed that the overall analysis of honey total acidity, HMF, reducing sugars, sucrose, moisture and mineral content were found to be 28.32 ± 14.14 meq/kg, 19.52 ± 9.41mg/kg, 66.79 ± 6.96 %, 4.46 ± 2.59 %, 22.86 ± 1.03 % and 0.22 ± 0.16 %, respectively. Almost all quality parameters of honey found to meet national and international honey specifications but not moisture for all samples and sucrose in the case of Gesha district. Therefore, further research is suggested to optimize the moisture content of honey in humid and sub-humid areas of the region.