ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to evaluate physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of honey from different locations. Enugu and Foreign honey samples recorded the higher acidity than Imo, Edo and Umuahia honey, but all samples were still within the standard limit (pH 3.40 ± 0.002 to 6.10 ± 0.003). The electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from 0.84 ± 0.01 to 1.03 ± 0.01 ms/cm. The °Brix TSS ranged from 93.23 ± 0.03 to 124.23 ±0.04. The moisture content of honey samples ranged from 13.66 ± 0.04% to 18.86 ± 0.02%. Ash content ranged from 0.81 ± 0.01 % to 0.51 ± 0.02%>. Umuahia honey showed the highest protein content 1.21 ± 0.01 while the lowest value of protein content was registered in Foreign honey (0.65 ±0.03). Sample of Umuahia honey showed the highest value of reducing sugars 78.13 ± 0.02 while foreign honey showed the lowest value 70.16 ± 0.04. The quality of honey was varied based on the botanical origins, handling, transportation and storage conditions. In addition to colour, ash and electrical conductivity (EC), the levels of 7 minerals were investigated in 5 samples of honey from different location. The macro minerals obtained were as follows: K (49.12-30.78), Mg (6.23-4.21), Ca (7.42-6.05), P (12.64-7.78) and Na (5.21-3.26). The quantities oftrace minerals were as follows: Fe (3.02- 1.03) and Zn (1.15-0.43). Honey was found to have a high antioxidant ranging from (73.41- 60.47) for total phenol, (96.61-40.52) fortotal flavonoid and (94.62-76.37) for total ascorbic acid. It was noted that both TPC and TAA contributed to high antioxidant activities in the honey samples, with a TPC R2 value of 0.868 with ABTS and TAA R2 value of 0.991 with DPPH. Keywords: Honey, Antioxidant, Chemical composition; Physical properties