title: Physicochemical properties of the Harenna forest honey, Bale, Ethiopia.
abstract: In this study, the physicochemical properties of the Harenna forest honey were characterised. The Harenna forest honey moisture, reducing sugar, sucrose, water insoluble solids, ash, free acid, pH, HMF contents, electrical conductivity and specific rotation were found to be 17.89±1.02 g/100 g, 69.48±1.72 g/100 g, 2.43±1.02 g/100 g, 0.12±0.08 g/100 g, 0.19±0.09 g/100 g, 34.57±4.80 meq/kg, 3.87±0.16, 0.84±0.46 mg/1000 g, 0.70±0.04 mS/cm and -132±15.27 [α]D(20), respectively. All quality indicators of honey from traditional and frame hives were within the criteria set by Codex Alimentarus (CA), European Union (EU) and Ethiopian standard, except for water insoluble solids. The type of hives significantly affected the moisture (p<0.01), reducing sugar (p<0.05), ash (p<0.05) and HMF (p<0.05) contents of the Harenna forest honey. The sampling location also significantly affected the moisture (p<0.001), water insoluble solids (p<0.01), ash (p<0.01), electrical conductivity (p<0.001) and specific rotation (p<0.001) values of the Harenna forest honey. Significant correlations were observed between moisture content and electrical conductivity (r=0.76, p<0.01), and electrical conductivity and specific rotation (r=0.74, p<0.01). Traditional hive has no negative effect on quality factors of honey if honey harvesting, handling and processing is properly carried out.
authors.affiliation: Center for Food Science and Nutrition Program, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ab.berabelay@gmail.com
authors.forename: Abera
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belay
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Geremew
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bultossa
authors.forename: Nuru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Adgaba
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melaku
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000032:analysis; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005002:Ethiopia; D005662:Furaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates; D014867:Water; C008046:5-hydroxymethylfurfural; D005662:Furaldehyde
keywords: Ethiopia; Harenna forest; Honey; Physicochemical properties