Characterization of Honey from Meru and Tharakanithi Counties of Kenya using Physicochemical and Biochemical Properties
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Date
2013-11-26
Authors
Shikhutuli, Imboywa Lazarus
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Abstract
Honeyhas different physical, chemical and biochemical properties depending on itsorigin. The differences in properties are due to the variable botanical sources fromwhich the honey is derived. Value addition to honey, its classification, identification andconditions of processing depend on its physicochemical and biochemical properties suchas moisture content, acidity, electrical conductivity, ash content, insoluble matter content,HMFcontent, diastase activity, proline content, sugar content and viscosity. Furthermorethe commercialization probabilities and consumption predispositions of honey dependon its sensory properties such as colour and taste which are subjective to the abovementioned properties. Information about these properties for Kenyan honey is scarce. Thisstudy therefore aimed at characterizing honey from TharakaNithi and Meru counties asa response to both local and international consumer concerns and aimed at ascertainingits quality according to the international honey standards (Codex Alimentarious and EU)which specify the acceptable limits for some of the physicochemical and biochemicalproperties of honey. The harmonized methods of the International Honey Commission(rnC) were used for all the determinations. Fifty two and thirty one samples all harvestedbetween December and October (2007) were collected from Meru and TharakaNithicounties respectively. Each determination was done in triplicate. The respective meanresults of the analysis for Meru and TharakaNithi counties were as follows: moisturecontent (20.12 % ;17.44 %), free acidity (45.65 meq/kg; 37.87 meq/kg), pH (4.38; 4.73),electrical conductivity (1.19mScm•1;1.50mScm•1), mineral content (0.60 %; 0.78 %),insoluble matter (0.08 %; 0.09 %), HMF (4.1;3 mg/kg ; 3.12 mglkg), Diastase activity(13.62 DN; 13.84 DN), Proline content (423.2 mg/kg; 446.2 mglkg ), apparent reducingsugars (68.48 % ; 72.01 %), apparent sucrose (3.94 % ; 2.88 %) and viscosity (27.88 P;61.02 P). These values are convincing that the honey is compliant with the recommendedCodex Alimentarious and EU Standards. The apparent sugars content of the honey fromthe two regions is consistent with that of blossom honey. This assertion is confirmed by thenegative specific angular rotation of the honey. The electrical conductivity was relativelyhigh for floral honey but was consistent with the ash content values reported. A comparisonof means of the parameters of the two regions using t-test (p=0.05) showed significantdifferences in moisture content, free acidity, electrical conductivities, ash content, apparentsugars and viscosity for the honey from the two regions. On the other hand there was nosignificant difference between diastase activity, water insoluble matter and proline content.Electrical conductivity and ash content were found to have a high positive correlation
(r=0.9987). Similarly viscosities and moisture content of the two regions had a highnegative correlation (R2::0.9777 {TharakaNithi}, R2::0.9895 {Meru}). Based on theresults of this study it can be concluded that honey from Meru and TharakaNithi countiesmet standards of the EU and the Codex standards and consequently qualifies for sale inthe international honey market. The farmers inthe two regions may therefore be sensitizedon these potential markets for their honey which would in turn improve their returns fromapiculture, not forgetting foreign exchange earnings that would accrue from the sales of thehoney in the international markets.