Impact of Geographical Variations on the Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Activities and Viscosity of Honey from Nigeria

Evaluation of the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities as well viscosity of honey from the three main geographical areas (south, central and north) of Ondo State, Nigeria, was carried out in order to access how geographical variations affect honey qualities. Honey was collected from the six local government areas; two from each geographical area (Okitipupa and Irele, Akure South and Ondo West, and, Owo and Akoko South West Local Government Areas from southern, central and northern geographical areas respectively). The proximate and minerals composition; specific gravity, viscosity, colour, antioxidant properties, pH, sugar contents, Vitamin C, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) of the honey samples were analysed. The results obtained showed that the moisture content varied from 10.85% to 12.43%. Honey from Akure South Local Government had the highest moisture content while that from Okitipupa Local Government had the least. The ash content varied from 0.47% to 0.59%; protein content ranged from 0.13% to 1.41%, while carbohydrate content ranged from 76.92% to 88.36%. Akoko South West Local Government had honey with the highest phenolic content while honey from Owo Local Government Area had the highest Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and Akure South Local Government honey had the highest DPPH content. All honey samples were acidic in nature, with pH values varying between 4.0 and 4.6. Vitamin C content ranged from 19.65 to 32.15 mg/100g. Increased temperature reduced the viscosity content of all the honey samples. Honey from the various geographical areas exhibited different physicochemical and antioxidant properties.