Quality parameters of honey produced in Silti district, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the quality of honey produced in Silti district of southern Ethiopia. The honey samples were collected from different locations representing two agro-ecological areas: Dega (highland) and Weyna Dega (midland). From each of these locations honey samples were obtained from traditional and movable frame hives. In addition, honey samples were also collected from the local market. Analysis of physicochemical parameters of honey was carried out at the Health and Nutrition Research Institute and the Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia. The analyzed samples had average moisture, ash, free acidity, water insoluble matter, pH, reducing sugars and sucrose contents of 15.95 (g/100g), 0,34 (g/100g), 19.32 (meq/kg), 0.26 (g/100g), 4.45, 69.04 (g/100g) and 4.1 (g/100g), respectively. Comparison of quality parameters of honey samples from the two agro-ecological areas and the market showed that market honey samples had significantly (P<0.05) higher reducing sugars content than honey samples from the two agro-ecological areas, but no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed for the remaining parameters. All the quality parameters analyzed for honey produced in Silti district comply with both national and international standards except the water-insoluble matter which was high in honey samples collected from traditional hives. Thus, there is a need to educate beekeepers about proper honey harvesting, straining and handling techniques.