Physicochemical Analysis of Several Natural Malaysian Honeys and Adulterated Honey

Abstract

Physicochemical analysis is one of the methods used to measure the quality and authenticity of honey. Quality and authenticity of honey are crucial to ensure only a high quality of natural honey is offered to consumers and to avoid any health complications in the future. However, relatively few physicochemical data is available on the Malaysian honey. In this study, selected physicochemical analyses were conducted on several local honey. Seven honey samples i.e. Tualang honey, Rubber honey, Acacia honey, Kelulut 1 honey, Kelulut 2 honey, adulterated honey 1 and adulterated honey 2 were used and their physicochemical properties measured. Natural honey samples exhibited varying physicochemical characteristics compared to adulterated honey. The adulterated honey 1 had the highest HMF level (164.55 ± 27.14mg/kg), with a low level of pH (3.2 ± 0.02), free acidity (20.8 ± 0.17) and electrical conductivity (0.003 ± 0.00) compared to the natural honey. These preliminary data could serve as a basis for the identification and characterisation of Malaysian honey based on the physicochemical analysis. Moreover, the data can support enforcement activities by the authorities in preventing adulterated honey production and trading in the future.