Physicochemical properties of honey produced in Sekota district, northern Ethiopia

This study was conducted to characterize honey produced in Sekota district in northern Ethiopia and to assess the effects of location (lowland, midland and highland) and hive type (modern zander-frame and traditional tube basket) on the quality of honey produced in the area. A total of 20 honey samples were collected from four locations in Sekota district. Reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, pH, moisture, ash, hydroxymethylfurfural, acidity and water-insoluble solids contents of the honey samples were analyzed. The pH of honey samples collected from the midland of the district was significantly higher than (p 0.05) the pH of honey samples collected from lowland areas. Hive type significantly (p 0.05) influenced the reducing sugars contents of the honey samples. The water-insoluble solids content of the honey samples analyzed in this study is above the maximum limit set by national and international standards for water-insoluble solids content of honey. Although honey produced in Sekota district is generally of good quality, efforts need to be made to reduce the water-insoluble solids content of the honey.