The characterization of some Algerian northeast honey was carried out on the basis of their physicochemical properties: moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, pH, free, total and lactonic acidity, electrical conductivity, mineral and proline content. Studied samples are found to be low in moisture and therefore safe from fermentation, low in HMF level and high in diastase activity. Additionally, the diastase activity and the HMF content are widely recognized parameters indicating the freshness of honey. The quality of honey samples differs on account of various factors such as season, packaging and processing conditions, floral source, geographical origin and storage period. It is important that precautions should be taken to ensure standardization and rationalization of beekeeping techniques, manufacturing procedures and storing processes to improve honey quality.

Forty honey samples from Apis mellifera were collected in different parts of Algeria during 2007 to 2010 and were analysed for parameters including hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), invertase and diastase activities. The spectra of pollen of the honeys collected in those areas were also studied. The results show that the amylase activity ranged from 4.40 to 30.15 DN, with only one sample having a low diastase number than 8 DN. The invertase activity ranged from 0 to 138.38 UE. Invertase is generally present in small amounts and is inactivated by heating. The HMF values in our study were low (<40 mg/ kg). 85% of samples (34 samples) had a HMF content less than 15 mg/kg HMF. The results of mellissopalynology show that the NPG/10 g for all samples of honey ranged from 8 × 10 3 to 2.01 × 10 6 ; all samples studied are original flower honey. We also note that the dominant pollen in the majority of samples was: pollen of Eucalyptus, Trifolium sp, Echium sp, Hedysarium corornarium and to a lesser extent, Asteraceae (mostly Carduus), Apiaceae, Ericaceae, Rosaceaeare and Rutaceae. In general, the samples were found to meet the requirements of the international honey standards.