ESTIMATION OF SOME QUALITY PARAMETERS OF HONEY

Aida Albu, Gabriela Frunză, Roxana Zaharia, I.M. Pop

Abstract
    Twenty-four samples of honey, from eight Romanian producers from three types (acacia, linden and polyflora-for each producer) were physico-chemical analyzed. The results obtained were variable: 0.2-72.1 mm Pfund for color, 0.038-0.050% for water insoluble matter, 1.4876-1.4980 for refractive index, 15.48-19.52% for moisture, 80.48-84.52% for solids substances, 79.00-83.00 Brix for total soluble substances and 1.420-1.448 g/cm³ for specific gravity. The values for pH and free acidity were in the range of 3.77-5.32 pH units, respectively 6.13-26.63 meq kg^-1; the ash content varied between 0.027% and 0.344% and the electrical conductivity recorded values between 129 μS cm^-1 and 775 μS cm^-1. The analysis were performed in accordance with Romanian/EU standards. For all honey samples, the Pearson coefficient results indicated strong positive correlation between specific gravity and total soluble substances, between ash and electrical conductivity, respectively a strong negative correlation between moisture and refractive index, between moisture and total soluble substances and between moisture and specific gravity. As a conclusion, the studied honey bee samples correspond qualitatively to the legislation requirements.