[01] Benjamin A. Anhwange, Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. [02] Stephen G. Yiase, Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. [03] Gabriel H. Atoo, Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. [04] Akolo J. Anzaki, Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Raw and processed samples of honey from natural and bee - hives (farmed honey) sources were collected and analysed for some physicochemical properties and heavy metals. The results indicate moisture content to range between 18.81% to 20.45%. Ash content was found to range between 1.26% - 1.86%. pH of the honey samples ranged between 5.15 - 5.83. Electrical conductivity values vary between 0.86 mS/cm to 0.91mS/cm. The acid and Hydromethylfurfural (HMF) contents of the sample were found to be (5.28 - 6.53) meq/kg and (3.87-4.64) mg/kg respectively. Diastase activity values were observed to be between 7.61 DN to 10.18 DN. Lead content of raw and processed natural honey was 0.0432 mg/L and 0.0846 mg/L respectively, while that of processed from farmed sample was 0.0156 mg/L. Copper levels were found to range between 0.0187 mg/L to 0.1062 mg/L, while nickel levels ranged between (0.0234-0.0896) mg/L for natural honey. The values for farmed honey were between (0.0354 - 0.1867) mg/L. Cobalt was only detected (0.1563 mg/L) in the processed sample from trees. Cobalt was observed to be 0.2481 mg/L and 0.4352 mg/L for raw and processed honey from bee-hives respectively. Chromium levels were in the range 0.0172 mg/L to 0.2842 mg/L. Cadmium was not detected in all the honey samples. Zn levels were found to range between 0.2136 mg/L to 0.2963 mg/L. The results revealed that raw samples from trees were relatively higher in some physicochemical parameters compared to the raw farmed samples. In all cases heavy metal contents of the processed samples were higher than those of the raw samples. Therefore, care should be taken during processing since honey could easily be contaminated during processing.

Honey, Bee-hive, Hydromethylfurfural, Diastase, Riyom

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