Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Features of Honey Samples from Ecological Niches of Western Maharashtra

The physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties of 10 samples of honey obtained from Western Maharashtra, India were investigated. The physico-chemical properties evaluated were colour, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, moisture, ash, phenol, invertase activity, proline, Hydroxy Methyl Furfural (HMF), total protein and carbohydrate as well as reducing sugar, antioxidant activity and pollen analysis. Results showed a range of honey colors ranging from light to dark amber. The pH values ranged from 3.8 to 4.4. The low pH of honey is known to inhibit the presence and growth of microorganisms. The moisture content in the investigated samples ranged from 17 to 70.6 %. Further, free acidity of some samples were within permissible limits (50meq/kg). Ash content ranged from 0.50 g to 100 g-1 and the electrical conductivity was computed to be at 0.64 mScm-. HMF values ranged from 7.4 to 22.5mg/kg and phenol content was found to vary between the ranges of 0.037 to 0.051. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by determining the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) quantity and they were found to be significant.