Quality assessment and antimicrobial activity of various honey types of Pakistan

Forty samples of different honey types (Acacia, Ziziphus, Brassica and Citrus) were collected from different areas of Pakistan and analyzed for moisture, pH, total acidity, ash, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sucrose, total sugars, invert sugar, protein, proline contents as well as macro and micro elements. The variation in composition of honey samples was observed due to different types of flora. Higher pH (6.56 ± 0.05) was observed for Ziziphus honey, acidity (45.0 ± 2.35 mg/kg) for Citrus, moisture (36.8 ± 1.8%) for Brasica and HMF (32.7 ± 0.49 mg/kg) for Acacia. Whereas, higher concentrations of proline (2.1 ± 0.04 mg/kg) and invert sugar (0.38 ± 0.1%) for Citrus honey and protein (16.5 ± 1.5 g/100g) for Acacia honey were observed. Likewise, a significant level (P < 0.05) of ash, electric conductivity, sucrose, total sugar as well as macro and micro elements was also found in these honey types. Different formulations of honey has significantly inhibited growth of pathogenic microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger when compared to control group, which is an evidence that honey is a therapeutic agent being used since ancient time throughout the world.Key words: Honey types, flora, sugar, nutritional food, therapeutic agent