PJB-2019-300
EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND POLLEN CONTENT OF HONEY SAMPLES FROM EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA
Ikegbunam, Nchedochukwu Clara
Abstract
ABSTRACT The present study was carried out to determine the pollen spectra and quality of honey samples sourced from different localities (Onicha, Ivo and Ohaozara) in Ebonyi State in 2017. Physicochemical analyses of these samples were carried out using AOAC methods and acetolysis procedure was used in analyzing the pollen content. The ranges of different parameters are 10.80-11.72% Moisture; 4.0 – 4.3 pH; 0.20 – 0.50% Fats/oil; 0.37 – 0.52% Protein; 0.23 – 0.40% Ash; 5.00 – 10.00% Polyphenol; 56.00 – 81.20% Free fatty acid; 47.80 – 49.40 mg/100g Fructose; 23.80 – 37.00 mg/100g Glucose; 4.18 – 5.50% Sucrose and 0.54 – 0.74% Dextrose. The ranges of mineral content are 3100 – 5350 mg/100g Zinc; 49.00 – 68.00 mg/100g Calcium; 4.00 – 6.00 mg/100g magnecium; 2.06 – 2.97 mg/100g potassium and 0.30 – 0.38 mg/100g sodium. Assessment of the honey properties indicated that most of these parameters are within the normal ranges. Palynological study showed that a total of 30 pollen types belonging to 24 families were recorded. Some pollen types were identified to generic level and they include Ludwigia stolonifera, Elaeis guineensis, Syzygium guineense, Bridelia ferruginea, Alchornea cordifolia, Nauclea latifolia and Hymenocardia acida while other were to family level. Important honey plants that were identified in this study include Elaeis guineensis, Syzygium guineense, Alchornea cordifolia and Nauclea latifolia etc. There were variations in the percentage frequency of the pollen types recorded in the study. Only two pollen types occurred as frequent classes (Elaeis guineensis and Ziziphus sp.) while six occurred as rare classes in the samples. The rest were sporadic in occurrence.
To Cite this article:
Download
