Pollen characterization and physicochemical attributes of honey samples produced in different localities in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria

Honey is an exceedingly nutritional and natural food substance. In this study, five honey samples obtained from five different localities in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria, were analyzed for physicochemical attributes and pollen content. Palynological investigation of the samples showed that a total of thirty-two thousand seven hundred and twelve (32,712) pollen grains in 31 families of plant were recovered. Some pollen types were identified to species level and they include Mangifera indica, Elaeis guineensis, Hymenocardia acida, Syzygium guineense, Alchornea cordifolia etc. The ranges of the values recorded for the tested parameters were as follows: moisture (10.64 – 17.85 %), ash (0.55 – 0.64 %), protein (0.01 – 1.32 %), fat (0.15 – 0.42 %), fat (3.33 - 4.03 %), free acidity (21.27 – 40.67 mg/kg), electrical conductivity (0.09 – 0.67 µs/cm), proline (164.3 - 447.0 mg/kg), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (10.9 – 38.55 mg/kg), polyphenol (3.1 – 12.6 mg/kg), fructose (30.71 – 39.27 %), sucrose (0.1 – 0.66 %), and glucose (17.44 – 28.75 %). The glucose, sucrose, and fructose contents were within the acceptable standard of not more than 5 g/100 g of honey for sucrose and >60% for fructose and glucose specified for quality honey, except in the Awka sample, where the summation of glucose and sucrose was lower than 60%. Overall, the results showed that the studied parameters had values that fell within the recommended limits for quality honey.