Tolerance of Ziziphus and Acacia honeys to one year storage conditions and altitude

Abstract

Objectives: This article investigated the effect of plant origin, storage and altitude on the triglycerides, cholesterol and some physicochemical properties of honey samples. Methods: Nineteen honey samples (9 Ziziphus and 10 Acacia) were involved in this study representing two floral origins and seasons and four altitudes. The plant origin of the honey samples was confirmed microscopically and their quality parameters were analyzed according to the International Honey Commission harmonized methods of honey analysis. The lipid parameters were analyzed using spectrophotometric- enzymatic methods. The SPSS version 20 was used for the statistical analysis of the obtained data. Results: The plant origin significantly affected the honey pH (P = 0.017), moisture (P = 0.009), fructose (P < 0.001) and the total of fructose and glucose (P = 0.001). Honey storage for one year significantly affected the Ziziphus honey pH (P = 0.005), moisture (P = 0.021), conductivity (P = 0.017), fructose (P = 0.036), glucose (P = 0.006) and the total of glucose and fructose (P = 0.013) while all the quality parameters of the stored Acacia honey were insignificantly different than those of the freshly harvested Acacia honey. The hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) of the freshly harvested honey (Ziziphus of Acacia) was higher than that of the stored honey. The altitude had significant effect on the pH, acidity, moisture, conductivity, fructose, glucose, the total of fructose and glucose and the HMF of the Ziziphus honey while the altitude of the Acacia honey significantly affected the percentages of moisture and fructose only. Conclusions: Acacia honey was tolerant to one year storage at room temperature and to the high altitude climate conditions. Freshly harvested honey samples were with high HMF concentration compared to the stored honey samples.