Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Correlation Analysis of Honey of Wild Honeybees

Authors

  • Meena Thakur Department of Entomology, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh
  • Neha Gupta Department of Entomology, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh
  • Bharti Thakur Department of Entomology, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh
  • Harish Kumar Sharma Department of Entomology, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh
  • Kiran Rana Department of Entomology, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan 173 230, Himachal Pradesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2023.1155

Keywords:

Honey parameters, Apis dorsata, Apis florea, physico-chemical parameters, microbial load, wild honey, honey quality, honey bacterial loads, honey standards. honey composition

Abstract

Honey of wild honey bees Apis dorsata and Apis florea was sampled from northern states of India during the year 2018-20 and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters and microbial load using standard procedures and correlation analysis. A. dorsata honey had high moisture content (17.20%), pH (6.25) and F: G ratio (1.98), whereas A. florea honey exhibited higher bacterial loads (3.82) than A. dorsata (3.70). No fungal spores were recorded in any of the honeys analyzed. Significant positive correlation was recorded between colour and pollen density; amino acid content and acidity; Vitamin C and acidity in honey of A. dorsata. Whereas Electrical Conductivity (EC) and pH; amino acid and acidity content in honey of A. florea had significant positive correlation. Bacterial load had significant positive correlation with pH and moisture. The quality parameters were well within the acceptable limit defined by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India.

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Published

2023-05-01

How to Cite

Thakur, M., Gupta, N., Thakur, B., Sharma, H. K., & Rana, K. (2023). Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Correlation Analysis of Honey of Wild Honeybees. Indian Journal of Entomology, 30–34. https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2023.1155

Issue

Volume 85, Special Issue, May 2023

Section

Research Articles
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Europe PMC

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