Determination of Some Essential Minerals in Honey Samples Collected from Chena District, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine some essential minerals (Na, K, Ca and Mg) content of honey produced in Chena Woreda, Kaffa Zone, Ethiopia. For mineral analysis, nine (9) honey samples each of 0.5 to 1 kg were obtained from Chena district. Sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium content of honey samples were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. There was significant variation (p < 0.05) observed between honey samples. The honey sample SC 1 had significantly (p < 0.05) highest calcium content (551.9 ± 21.9 mg/kg) and potassium (70.17 ± 1.24 mg/kg).  The result also showed that sample SC 2 had significantly higher (p < 0.05) sodium (283.7 ± 18.7 mg/kg) and magnesium (47.7 ± 2.12 mg/kg) than other honey samples. Results obtained in this study, indicated that tested honey produced in Chena district are good for human consumption. More research should be conducted periodically on the elemental content of honey to indicate their origin and track the development of pollutants in particular areas. Keywords: Essential elements; honey; potassium; calcium; magnesium; sodium DOI : 10.7176/CMR/11-7-01 Publication date :September 30 th 2019