Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of 78 honey samples (Acacia, sage- Salvia officinalis L., linden, chestnut, honeydew and blossom) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reducing sugars, sucrose content, moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), free acidity, water-insoluble content, diastase activity, electrical conductivity were analyzed. The samples of honey, collected during the 2016 -2017 season, were analyzed by using recommendation methods. Results show that in 2016 and 2017, a great number of honey samples were of insufficient quality to satisfy regulatory requirements. Among the overall determined parameters, hydroxymethylfurfural and diastase activities in same honey samples were not accepted by national and international regulation. A correlation between free acidity and electrical conductivity was found in acacia and blossom honey samples. The correlation between HMF content and diastase activity showed strong negative relationship. The quality of honey was varied based on botanical origins, handling and storage conditions.
Highlights
Honey is a sweet and flavourful natural product produced by honey bees, Apis mellifera, and which is consumed for its high nutritive value and its contribution to consumer health (Habib et al, 2014)
A total of 78 honeys collected from different locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) (Figure 1) during 2016−2017 were provided by the Food Safety Agency of BiH
Physico-chemical parameters of honey were evaluated according to the BiH regulation (Official Gazette, 2009; Official Gazette, 2011) and European Council Directive 2001/110/Electrical conductivity (EC) (2002)
Summary
Honey is a sweet and flavourful natural product produced by honey bees, Apis mellifera, and which is consumed for its high nutritive value and its contribution to consumer health (Habib et al, 2014). HMF is usually absent in fresh and untreated honey (Matovic et al, 2018), but its concentration is reported to increase as a result of heating processes (Fallico et al, 2006) or due to long storage. For this reason, HMF is a recognized parameter related to the freshness and quality of honey. The information available on the physico-chemical characteristics of honeys of differing botanical origins produced in Bosnia and Herzegovina is limited. The current study was conducted to assess the physico-chemical properties composition of honeys (acacia, sage, linden, chestnut, honeydew and blossom honey) available in Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2016−2017
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