Determination of Selected Trace Metals and Physicochemical Parameters of Commercially available Honey in Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2009-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Trace mineral content and some quality parameters (physicochemical properties) such as pH, electrical conductivity and ash content of honey were determined using FAAS, pH- meter, conductivity meter and furnace, respectively. Fe was found in highest amount with mean concentration ranging from 5.37 to 12.43 μg/g followed by Ni with mean concentration range of 0.8 to 4.46 μg/g, Cr (1.20-4.33 μg/g), Zn (1.92-4.22 μg/g), Co (0.60-1.17 μg/g), Cd (ND-0.69 μg/g), Mn (0.16-0.885 μg/g) and Cu (0.09-0.4676 μg/g). The non-essential metal Pb was not detected. Similarly, the ranges of physicochemical properties analyzed could be summarized as: pH 4.11-4.33, ash content 0.17-0.46 % and electrical conductivity of 0.10-0.29. The metals content and the physicochemical properties investigated in honey samples were found within the ranges established by national and international standards. The quality of some samples of honey was evaluated from the point of view of physicochemical properties and content of trace metals. The optimized wet digestion method for honey analysis was found efficient for the metals analyzed and it was validated through the recovery experiment and a good percentage recovery was obtained (93-104%). Key words: Honey, Essential trace metals, Non-essential metals, physicochemical properties, FAAS
Description
Keywords
Honey, Essential trace metals, Non-essential metals, Physicochemical properties, FAAS