Evaluation of physico-chemical properties of honey samples collected in Erbil /Iraq

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of honey which were collected in Erbil city and the surrounding area. The total number of samples gathered was 12. The physico-chemical properties were moisture content, pH, ash, electrical conductivity (E.C), hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), colour, minerals and sugar contents. HPLC method was used to determine the sugar content profile (fructose, glucose and sucrose) while minerals content were assessed by ICP/mass spectrometry. The mean values of fructose, glucose and sucrose were as follows; 38.86, 33.60 and 11.70g/100g. The sucrose level in all samples exceeded the permissible amount as stated by Codex Alimentary commission. The moisture content range was between11.0% to 16.6% while the pH values were lies in the range 3.88 to 4.15 and HMF content average value were 8.07mg/100g.The furthermost abundant elements in honey samples were K, Ca, Na, Mg, P, S and Fe with mean values of 793.4, 428.7, 202.4, 197.6, 103.1, 73.0 and 19.9 mg/kg, respectively