Physicochemical Characterization of Stingless Bees’ ( Meliponula beccarii L) Honey from Wonchi District, Southwest Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at characterizing the physicochemical analysis of stingless bees’ honey (SBH) in the Wonchi district, Southwest Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. In this study, a total of 30 stingless bees’ honey samples were collected from Damu Dagele, Fite Wato, and Warabu Messe sites from underground soils through an excavation of natural nests. Physicochemical characterization of properties and proximate analysis of the honey were performed. The result showed a total mean of 20.12±1.14% moisture content, 8.62±2.73 meq./kg free acidity, 1.8±0.52 mS/cm electrical conductivity, 3.39±0.32 pH, 40.52±6.61 mg/kg HMF, 0.83±0.33% ash, 0.56±0.25% protein, 0.56±0.24% fat, and 0.59±0.23% WISC for physicochemical properties of stingless bees’ honey. Among sugar profiles of SBH, fructose constituted the highest proportion at 18.87 g per 100 g (53.87%), while sucrose exhibited the lowest concentration at 5 g per 100 g (14.33%). The result showed that the highest constituted mean of mineral composition was observed with potassium (K) of 16.64±0.257 mg/kg, while magnesium (Mg) showed the lowest concentration of 3.48±0.17 mg/kg. A substantial correlation was observed between K and Mg, with a correlation coefficient of 0.72 and 0.72, and similarly between K and Calcium (Ca); the correlation was highly significant, exhibiting a correlation coefficient of 0.65. Furthermore, the correlation between fatty and other physicochemical and proximate analyses showed very insignificant correlations. In general, this study showed that the SBH produced in the current study area has good physicochemical properties and moisture and contains high-quality honey, which may help its traditional medicinal uses. The findings of the study further suggests the potentiality of the area for quality honey, and to easily locate priority areas for stingless bee conservation, further detailed studies of other stingless species’ honey medicinal values are recommended.