Analysis of various honey samples collected from different location of madhya pradesh

Honey is a natural product, procured from honey bee colonies. Besides high concentration of sugars, it contains other useful nutrients, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and several phyto-nutrients. In many Indian families, first food in the mouth of new borne child is a drop of honey followed by mother’s milk. Therefore honey must be collected, purified and properly stored so that all its properties can be retained for longer period. In the present study, honey samples were collected from the beekeepers of three different locations of Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh and some samples were procured from local market. They were analyzed for colour, pH, moisture, total carbohydrate and hydroxy methyl furfural content. The colour of honey depends on their flora, storage time and storage conditions. The pH of honey samples was recorded to be acidic, but showed much variation in the range of 3 to 6. Moisture content was observed in the range 18.3 % to 23.2 %. Total carbohydrates were observed in the range of 76 to 80%. Honey samples, except for some market samples, were HMF negative. Thus none of the tested samples can be declared impure. However, some market samples appear to be sub standard as they have moisture content higher than 20%, are positive to Fiehe’s test and show high level of HMF content.