Pages: (24-34 )
Abstract
Nutritional assessment of locally harvested honey samples from four Nigerian States was undertaken to determine their quality and extent of adulteration. Proximate composition was determined using standard methods of AOAC while mineral elements were quantified using Flame photometry and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Data obtained were analyzed statistically using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), while Fischer’s Least Significance Difference (LSD) was used to separate the sample means at P<0.05. Results of proximate analysis showed significant differences in all their compositions. Moisture ranged between 9.52-19.57% (F1,8=259.2), ash ranged between 0.49-1.10% (F1,8=15.1), protein ranged between 1.67-4.57% (F1,8=74.6), oil content ranged between 0.50- 1.10% (F1,8=12.9), total carbohydrate ranged between 72.94-84.66% (F1,8=32.3) and energy ranged between 328.20- 364.44Kcal/100g (F1,8=8.8). All minerals tested and compared were significantly different with Potassium being the dominant mineral in all samples with values ranging between 35.1-340.0mg/100g, Sodium ranged between 9.50- 36.0mg/100g, Calcium ranged between 15.40-25.0mg/100g, Phosphorus ranged 14.90-18.57mg/100g and Iron ranged from 12.88-21.30mg/100g. The results of this study indicate that the honey samples compared favourably with other reported samples from many parts of Nigeria because many of the nutrients in this investigation with the exception of Ash and Protein fell within the limit of international standard.
Keywords: Honey, Proximate Analysis, Nutrients, Adulteration, Economy,