Samuel Kirkok

Characterization of Honey Produced by A. Mellifera and Melipona Bees: Case of Marigat and East Pokot Regions of Baringo County in Kenya Samuel Kirkok

Both melipona and A. mellifera bees honey are produced from Marigat and East pokot regions of Baringo County in Kenya. The physicochemical parameters of these honeys were analyzed in this study against the International Honey Commission (IHC) standards. The parameters considered included moisture content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), proline content, electrical conductivity, mineral content, ash and acidity. Average constituent values for A. mellifera and melipona bee honey were at 19.780±0.125% and 32.325±0.202 % (moisture); 35.617±1.213 mg/kg and 7.404±0.495 mg/kg (HMF); 501.553±16.967 mg/kg and 374.769±5.027 mg/kg (proline); and 22.987±0.522 meq and 46.707±1.252meq (free acidity) respectively. The mean values of these parameters were found to be significantly different in the two honey types (p<0.05). Potassium was found to be the most abundant mineral with mean values of 560±3.39 ppm and 678±3.80 ppm for A. mellifera and stingless bee honeys respectively. These values were not significantly different (p<0.05). Most of the samples had constituent levels within the limits set by IHC.