An effective method for determining the maturity of honey

Abstract

When determining the maturity of honey, in laboratory veterinary practice, one of the most objective and reliable is the weighted drop method. This method is quite convenient, quickly feasible, and in addition, does not require special equipment and expensive reagents. This makes it possible to recommend it for wide implementation in the practice of veterinary and sanitary examination laboratories of the markets. Mature honey can be stored for quite a long time, and its water content should be below 20%. The results of our research showed that the average water content in honey obtained in different apiaries of the Saratov region averaged 19.3%, with a fluctuation from 16.5 to 21.6%. If the honey contains more than 22% water, it can be concluded that the honey was pumped out immature.