Physicochemical characterization and adulteration detection of selected commercial and natural honeys from Zambia and Botswana

Abstract

Three commercial and three natural honeys from Zambia and Botswana were analyzed for selected physicochemical parameters using analytical methods prescribed by the International Honey Commission. The parameters were specific conductivity, moisture/ash contents, pH, acidity by titration to pH 8.3, sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Multivariate statistical evaluation of the physicochemical data using partial least squares was used to classify the honeys according to their geographical and floral origins. Sugars were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in which validation of the methods employed gave limits of detection (LODs) that ranged between 3.4 and 8.8 g/100 honey and correlation coefficients that ranged between 0.9779 and 0.9865. The concentration ranges for the sugars were (g/100 g honey) sucrose (ND − 10.4), fructose (22.4–28.4), and glucose (29.3–49.2). Overall, none of the honeys examined showed signs of adulteration with the three sugars. These data are lacking in many African countries, which are emerging as honey production giants. Practical applications We report physicochemical properties of selected raw natural and commercial honeys from Zambia and Botswana using the International Honey Commission guidelines. This is a prelude to database creation to protect apiarists from fraud in honey trade in many African countries emerging as giant honey producers and is to the best of our knowledge the first such report in the Southern African Development Community region.

A comprehensive review of the current trends and recent advancements on the authenticity of honey

“…Among these, the most relevant parameters are including color, density, viscosity, rheology, moisture content, sugar composition, pH, acidity, mineral content, ash content, HMF content, electrical conductivity, optical rotation, diastase activity, among others. These parameters can indirectly reflect the authenticity of honey, so they can be used as evaluation parameters for judging the authenticity of honey ( Padiso et al, 2021 , Rodopoulou et al, 2022 ). As moisture content in honey increases, density and viscosity decrease, whilst rheology increases ( Pereira, et al, 2020 ).…”

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Use in Honey Characterization and Authentication: A systematic review

“…15,[30][31][32]37 Studies had a wide geographical dispersion covering 15 countries (Figure 2). Only one work focused on honey collected from two countries (i.e., Zambia and Botswana), 38 and three did not clearly mention the honey's origin. 31,32,39 While most works addressed honey produced by Apis mellifera, works also included honey from Apis dorsata, 14,40 Apis cerana, 40 Heterotrigona itama, 36 and Trigona sp.…”

“…45,46,52 The spectra of a honey and IR peak or band attribution are presented in Figure 4 and Table 1. Honey sharing similar botanical and geographical origins should present similar composition, 38 and therefore IR spectra. Variations between different honeys are often represented by peaks assigned to water (3300 and 1640 cm −1 ) or to carbohydrates (e.g., 2933, 1640, 1110, 930 cm −1 ).…”

“…59,60 After maturation, honey should have <20% water, with higher moisture content suggesting early harvesting or adulteration by dilution with water. 38 Water content of honey is represented in infrared spectra by the 3300 and 1640 cm −1 peaks of the O−H stretching and bending vibrations.…”

Perspectivas de uso da inteligência artificial na viabilidade de método alternativo para o controle de qualidade do mel

“…Os parâmetros físico-químicos estão diretamente associados à sanidade e estabilidade do mel, sendo, portanto, empregados como indicadores no controle de qualidade deste produto (Price et al, 2019). Dentre os parâmetros mais relevantes se encontram: cor, densidade, viscosidade, reologia, teor de umidade, composição de açúcares, pH, acidez, teor de minerais, teor de cinzas, teor de HMF (Hidroximetilfurfural), condutividade elétrica, rotação óptica e atividade de diástase (Padiso et al, 2021, Rodopoulou et al, 2022.…”