Abstract

This research paper investigated the physico-chemical and microbiological properties of 10 samples of honey obtained from Ibadan, Oyo State. The physicochemical properties evaluated were colour, water activity, pH, moisture content, ash content and electrical conductivity, while the standard plate count (SPC), total coliforms, Bacillus spp., yeast and mould fungi were the microbiological properties evaluated. Results showed a range of honey colours from light amber to dark amber. There was significant difference in the pH of the honey samples obtained from different areas of Ibadan. Minimum pH of 2.80 was observed from honey sample collected from Idi-Ayunre, while the highest pH value of 4.50 was from honey collected from Iwo Road. Total acidity value obtained ranged from 24.60 to 41.20 meq kg-¹, while moisture content was 18.30%, ash content 0.50 g 100 g^-1 and the electrical conductivity of 0.64 mScm^-1. Results of the microbiological characteristics showed that the microbial profile were very low for all the microorganisms studied. The SPC varied from 0 - 200 cfu g^-1 whereas total coliform were not detected in any of the samples and fungi (yeast and moulds) were also present at low counts in all the honey samples obtained from Ibadan.

Key words: Natural honey, physico-chemicall properties, microbiology, Ibadan