Study on the quality of honey from different botanical sources and one re-gional origin

Abstract

Research on honey is important from the standpoint of product quality and consumer protection. According to legislation in many countries, including Ukraine, honey is considered a food product and is subject to mandatory certification and labeling. Research on the physicochemical properties of honey is important for determining its quality and detecting falsification. This article is dedicated to the study of the quality of honey from various botanical and one regional source. Organoleptic and physicochemical properties of the honey were determined, as well as a comparison with a falsified sample. The results of the analysis showed that different varieties of honey have different physicochemical properties. The highest diastase number was found in buckwheat honey, while the lowest was found in linden honey. The mass fraction of sucrose was highest in buckwheat honey and lowest in sunflower honey. The water content was in the range of 18.4–21 %, with buckwheat and sunflower honey having similar values. The pH value was lowest in buckwheat honey and highest in linden honey. Research on the organoleptic properties showed that buckwheat honey has a dark brown color, pleasant aroma and taste without foreign flavors, and a viscous consistency. Sunflower honey has a golden-yellow color, bright and delicate aroma, sweet taste without foreign flavors, and a viscous consistency. Linden honey has a pale yellow color, pleasant and delicate aroma, sweet taste without foreign flavors, and a viscous consistency. Flower honey has a light brown color, pleasant aroma and taste without foreign flavors, sweet and tart, and a viscous consistency. The results of the comparison of buckwheat honey with falsified honey showed that the diastase number, mass fraction of sucrose and water, as well as the pH value in the honey were within normal range, while in the falsified sample the values of these indicators were different. These results indicate that falsified honey based on sugar syrup can be detected using physicochemical analysis. Therefore, a study of honey from various botanical and one regional origin showed that its physicochemical properties differ depending on the variety. Comparison of buckwheat honey with counterfeit honey based on sugar syrup has shown that the counterfeit can be detected by physicochemical analysis.