Comparative Study of element composition of some honey samples in Ibadan metropolis

Abstract

The study was carried out at the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan with seven honey samples were randomly selected within Ibadan metropolis, labeled as: Sample A (Forestry Honey), Sample B(Pure Honey), Sample C (Mr. Honey), Sample D (Taraba Honey), Sample E (Sokoto Honey), Sample F (Saki Honey), and Sample G (Natural Honey). The samples were then analysed at the chemical laboratory of the International Institute of Tropic Agriculture (IITA). The TXRF and infrared spectrophotometer techniques were used to measured elemental concentrations present in the sample. Eight elements – K, Ca, P, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Na – were analysed. The result showed the honey samples to be quite rich in minerals. Potassium was the most abundant element in the honey samples (range 6.629 – 7.744ppm) with a mean value of 7.029, followed by Na (range 0.86 – 1.13ppm) with a mean value of 1.03 and P (range 0.565 – 0.644ppm) with a mean of 0.605. Calcium ranges between 0.277 and 0.591ppm with a mean value of 0.384, while Mn has a range of 0.025-0.036ppm with a mean of 0.030, followed by Zn(range 0.02-0.03ppm) with a mean value of 0.03ppm. iron also ranges between 0.015 and 0.024ppm with a mean value of 0.018ppm, while Cu came last with a range of 0.001-0.003 and a mean value of 0.002ppm. The computation of the standard deviation shows Potassium to have a value of 0.344, Ca 0.078, P0.023, Fe0.003, Mn 0.003, Cu 0.001, Zn 0.006 and Na 0.476. In addition, the processed honey samples had more elemental concentrations than the unprocessed honeys. Nevertheless the results have shown that Nigeria honey samples are rich in mineral composition, hence the need for better processing method and packaging in order to achieve wide market and income both locally and internationally.