Author

Bhasker Laxmishanker Punjani* and Mayuri Vijaykumar Prajapati

Abstract

The main intent of this research was to examine the purity of honey by conducting a comparative analysis of its both physical and chemical properties, along with its absolute pollen count, to identify pollen types utilized by the bees and to understand the forage patterns of the bees using natural honey samples collected in the productive season during 2018-19, 2021-22 and 2022-23 from villages of Becharaji taluka, Mahesana district, Gujarat, India. Nine honey samples have been collected from the study region. The pollen extract from honey was obtained using conventional techniques for melissopalynological analysis. The physicochemical analysis includes moisture content (%), electric conductivity (mS/cm), pH, acidity (%), ash (%), colour, total reducing sugar, total carbohydrates, free amino acids and proteins.
The present study results showed the botanical origin (pollen analysis) and physicochemical properties. For this investigation, all the nine honey samples were taken directly through the hive. Among the nine honey samples, six (66.67%) were categorized as unifloral because they having predominant pollen types (above 45%) and the remaining three (33.33%) samples as multifloral. The absolute pollen count and frequency (%) was also determined and graded. In all the analysed honey samples, moisture content ranging between 16.60 to 18.57%, acidity 0.14 to 0.20%, ash 0.47 to 0.62%, electric conductivity 0.48 to 0.70 mS/cm and pH 3.74 to 3.89. Total carbohydrates in the samples ranged from 67.97-81.57%, total reducing sugars 65.27-67.00%, total soluble proteins 0.47-0.56% and total free amino acids 0.16-0.18% w/w. A negative and strong correlation was showed by TC with the studied parameter amino acids, whereas strong and positive correlation was observed between FA and TRS, AC and pH with r= 1.00. The mean contents of all the parameters were within the range of international and national quality standards. The outcome of this current investigation may enhance researcher’s understanding of honey properties and its impact on consumer preference.

Page: 141-155

Doi Number 10.61289/jibs2026.09.25.0521

Keywords Apis cerana, A. florea, Gujarat, Melissopalynology, Physicochemical parameters