Determination of Mineral Content and Physico-Chemical Properties of Apis Honey from Karnataka State

Abstract

The present investigation analyzed Apis honey samples of dorsata, cerana, mellifera and florea spp. from Coorg and Kolar districts of Karnataka. The physical parameters, pH, optical density, viscosity, and moisture contents were analyzed for the Apis honey samples and were found to comply with international standards. The efficacy of Apis honey in medical research chiefly depends on its mineral constituents. Hence, the total ash content was calculated using the Ivanov and Chevanakova methods. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer and flame photometer were used to quantify minerals in honey samples. The total ash range was between 0.24±0.2 to 0.65±0.1 per cent. The F-test and ANOVA values of the total ash content of honey samples were significant at 5% levels. Honey of Apis dorsata had 4.33±0.01 ppm±SD of Calcium and 1.69±0.02 ppm±SD of Magnesium; 0.004±0.0001 ppm±SD of Chromium 0.09±0.02 ppm±SD of Iron was found in honey of Apis florea. Likewise, honey of Apis cerana had Copper (0.05±0.002 ppm±SD), Manganese (0.08±0.002 ppm±SD), Phosphorus (0.49±0.02 ppm±SD), Potassium (40.44±0.09 ppm±SD) and Sodium (4.37±0.06 ppm±SD). Zinc (0.06±0.002 ppm±SD) was present in honey of A. mellifera. All the mineral nutrients studied were within the compliance range and determined to be statistically significant (p< 0.05). It was concluded that the Karnataka Apis honey maintains its good standards.