Physico-chemical properties of honey from different beehives and honey sources in selected Districts of Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to assess Physico-chemical properties of honey from different beehives and honey sources in selected District of Bale Zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A total 18 honey samples were collected from different hive types and honey sources for analysis of physico-chemical properties (color, moisture content, electric conductivity, pH, acidity, ash (mineral), HMF, reducing sugars (glucose and fructose), and sucrose content). Statistical analysis was used to analyse the data collected from laboratory parts. Data related to honey quality were analyzed using General linear model of SAS software (SAS, 2008). Whenever a statically significant difference (p<0.05) is observed, least significant difference (LSD) test was used to separate the means difference. Most of the laboratory results for common parameters were found in the range of the national and international standard limits. The result of physico-chemical properties showed that there was a significance difference (p<0.05) between hive types except for sucrose (g/100mg) (p>0.05). The overall mean of honey sampled from different hive types showed color (optical density) (10.86 mmpfund), moisture content (20.34%), ash (0.29%), electric conductivity (0.65 ms/cm), free acidity (57.66 meq/gm), pH (4.2), hydroxy methyl furfural (9.45 mg/kg), apparent reducing sugar (73.12g/100mg), sucrose content (0.1g/100mg) while the mean values for honey sampled from different honey sources were as follows: color (optical density) (10.65 mmpfund), moisture content (19.41%), ash (0.23%), electric conductivity (0.53 ms/cm), free acidity (45.33 meq/gm), pH (3.93), hydroxy methyl furfural (16.38 mg/kg), apparent reducing sugar (67.49 g/100mg) and sucrose content (0.5 g/100mg). Hive type and honey source had direct effects on physicochemical quality of honey. The findings show that there is a high need for techniques and technology intervention, so as to derive benefit from the large number of beekeepers in Bale zone and in the country in general both in terms of honey quality and quantity.