Physico-Chemical and Vitamin Constituents of Honey Samples Obtained from Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria

Adenekan, M.O., Adelekan, B.A. and Oluwatoyinbo, F.I.

Department of Agriculture

Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria

Email: mopadenekan@yahoo.com  

ABSTRACT

A total of thirty six honey samples collected from different agro-ecological zones of Nigeria were investigated for their physico-chemical and vitamin contents. The results revealed that honey had an average electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.27mS/cm, moisture content, 25.33%, ash content, 0.63 %, pH 3.82 and hygroscopicity, 1.43. The colour ranged from light green to dark amber. The value of hydroxymethyfural content ranged from 0.01 – 0.06 ppm while total acidity ranged from 13.60-41.60meq/kg. The value of 52.95%fructose sugar obtained from the Sudan Savanna was significantly different from the values of 27.76%and 28.90% obtained from Mangrove Forest and Tropical Rain Forest respectively. The average values of glucose and sucrose obtained from Nigerian honey were 26.12% and 1.10% respectively. The honey samples showed a very low average protein value of 0.038ppm. Potassium (k) had the highest value of 6.34ppm followed by iron (Fe), 6.34ppm while calcium (Ca) had the least value of 0.40 ppm in Nigerian honey. Results of the vitamin content showed that five vitamins were detected (Biotin, Riboflavin, Thianine, Ascorbic acid and Folic acid) in honey obtained from different agro-ecological zones with absorbic acid having the highest value of 0.31 ppm.