Physicochemical characteristics of Bulgarian bee honey: Part 1

Svilen Lazarov, Petya Veleva and Ivanka Zhelyazkova

Abstract: The present study investigates 59 representative samples of monofloral honey (Аcacia 12 pcs., Coriander 12 pcs., Limetree 12 pcs., Rapeseed 11 pcs., Sunflower 12 pcs.) and 30 samples of multifloral honey, crop 2019, from various apiaries on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The changes in the following physicochemical parameters (Active acidity (pH); Electrical conductivity, μS/sm; Water content, %; Refractive index; Fructose + Glucose (F+G) content, %) have been studied. The obtained average values of the above parameters conform to the requirements of Council Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey and Regulation on requirements to bee honey intended for human consumption. Statistically significant differences have been observed between the physicochemical parameters of monofloral and multifloral honey. The values of the coefficients of determination (R2) show that 77.8% of the variations in the variable for the parameter (pH) and from 22.4 – 36.5% in the other studied parameters are due to the effect of the type of honey.

Keywords: honey; physicochemical parameters; statistically significant differences

Date published: 2022-03-14