Abstract

The physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of honey from the sudano-guinean zone of West Cameroon were determined. The indices obtained were within their respective ranges recorded for honey in temperate countries, except for calcium content whose value was on the upper side of its reference range. A bacterial type and eight fungi species contamination were found to have contaminated the honey from the local markets. However, there were no microbes present in honey harvested from the Bee Research Farm of the University of Dschang. This indicated contamination from secondary sources, during handling and or adulterations of honey from our local markets. Honey used in this study showed medium crystallisation tendency and granulation was faster when stored under dark than light at similar conditions. The mixed floral or nectar sources, fluctuating environmental conditions and processing procedures played major roles in the physico-chemical differences observed between the local and temperate honeys.

Key words: Honey, physico-chemical properties, microbial contamination, crystallisation, West Cameroon.