Determination and Comparative Evaluation of Mineral Content of Honey obtain from Rivers State University, Forestry Arboretum and Port Harcourt Local Market

Abstract

The study was concerned with the comparative study of honey produced from forestry arboretum in Rivers State University and the local market. The objective of this research was to determine and compare the Mineral Content of Honey Obtained from Rivers State University, Forestry  Arboretum and the local market Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific 210 vp) after digestion. Five elements were analyzed which include Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium and Potassium. The results gotten from the forestry arboretum honey are as follows; Calcium 1.14 ± 0.062mg/100, Iron 0.32 ± 0.001 mg/100 Magnesium 5.4 ± 0.472 mg/100, Zinc 0.12 ± 0.062mg/100g and potassium 470 ± 47.450mg/100 while for the local market Calcium is 0.3 ± 0.0017mg/100g, Iron 0.4 ± 0.003mg/100g, Zinc 0.17 ± 0.0062mg/100, magnesium 7.2 ± 0.260mg/100, and potassium 12.3 ± 0.145mg/100 .However Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium were the most abundant samples in the forestry arboretum and this is very important for development of the bones general body formation. A total of fifteen panelist were used to evaluate the honey sensory on a four point scale for different parameters. It was observed that appearance and opagueness has the highest score for samples, 3.43 and 3.42 respectively in forestry arboretum and the local market while texture, viscosity, taste and aroma are not farfetched. The results indicate that qualities of both honey samples are acceptable and both Honey Samples are rich in minerals.

Keywords: Honey, Plant Diversity, Mineral Content, Forestry arboretum