Physicochemical Properties of Honey Samples From Golestan Province (North of Iran)

Honey, produced by the honeybee, is a natural supersaturated aqueous invert sugar solution, which is mainly composed of a complex mixture of carbohydrates. The diversity of the physical and chemical properties of honey depends on the nectar and pollen of the original plant, color, flavor, moisture and contents of proteins and sugars. Quality of honey is determined by evaluating physicochemical properties of different honey samples collected from Golestan province (North of Iran). The 9 samples were analyzed for parameters including moisture, specific gravity, electric conductivity, dissolved solids, ash, pH, free, lactone and total acidity, sugars, fructose/glucose and glucose/water ratio, optical rotation, ash and color. The results of study indicated that all properties and honey samples were at good quality. Parameters such as pH, conductivity, fructose content and optical rotation can be used for distinguish honeydew from other samples. Correlations observed between some parameters e.g. between electric conductivity and absorbance and between electric conductivity and optical rotation.