Physicochemical properties of the main types of honey from different regions of Ukraine depending on their botanical origin

Abstract

Goal. To examine the physicochemical properties of the main types of honey from different regions of Ukraine, establish their botanical origin, and check the quality for compliance with current regulatory requirements. Methods. Samples of honey that were sent to the laboratory of methods for assessing the quality and safety of beekeeping products of the NSC «Institute of Beekeeping named after P.I. Prokopovych» of the NAAS from January to September 2025 from 15 regions of Ukraine were examined. Physiochemical parameters of honey, such as humidity, diastase content, hydroxymethylfurfurol and proline, as well as electrical conductivity, were determined using the methods recommended by State Standard 4497:2005 «Natural honey. Technical specifications». The species composition of pollen grains was determined microscopically and confirmed using Paldat electronic pollen databases. The obtained information was processed statistically using Microsoft Excel 15.0 with calculation of arithmetic mean (M) and standard error (m). Results. A total of 229 bee honey samples were analyzed. Pollen analysis of 31 samples sent to the laboratory labeled «acacia honey» showed that among them, there were only 7 samples of monofloral product in which the content of the dominant acacia pollen (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) exceeded 20%. The mass fraction of water in linden honey varied in a fairly wide range, namely from 16.0 to 20.8% with an average value of 17.5 ± 0.16%, and the average value of water content in acacia honey was 18.1 ± 0.03%. The highest average value of the enzymatic activity of diastase (33.1 ± 1.04 Gote units) had honey from buckwheat, and the lowest (12.8 ± 0.8 Gote units) — in acacia honey. The highest average value of electrical conductivity (0.580 ± 0.020 mS/cm) was fixed in lime honey, and the lowest (0.186 ± 0.003 mS/cm) was in acacia honey. The proline content of sunflower honey, which was the highest percentage of expert supplies, ranged from 179.0–488.0 mg/kg with an average value of 266.9 ± 6.4 mg/kg. Conclusions. Melisopalynological analysis showed that out of 153 honey samples that arrived at the laboratory to establish a botanical composition, 58 did not correspond to the indicated marking. The quality indicators of 223 samples of honey of various botanical origin were consistent with the requirements of the national standard DSTU 4497:2005 «Natural honey. Specifications» and the requirements of the EU, and 6 samples (3 samples of buckwheat, 2 — acacia, and 1 — linden) did not meet this document on the content of hydroxymethylfurfurol. A reliable way to establish from which plants and from which region honey comes is to combine the results of melisopalynological analysis and determine the physical and chemical properties.