Influence of heavy metal ions and storage time on hydroxymethylfurfural formation in honey collected from Ilu Woreda, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The effect of heavy metals on the formation of hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) from degradation of reducing sugars in honey collected from Ilu Woreda, West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia were studied. The concentration level of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni in honey sample was determined using AOAC Official Method. The concentration of HMF in honey was determined using international honey commission standards. The concentrations of heavy metals in fresh honey were 11 ± 0.001, 454 ± 0.002, 630 ± 0.001 and 1 ± 0.001 µg kg-1 for Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd, respectively. The influence of heavy metals on the formation of HMF in honey samples was studied on 5, 30 and 60 days after spiking at concentration level of 10,000 µg kg-1 of each heavy metal. The concentration of HMF for untreated honey samples was ranged 1380-2200 µg kg-1 for the storage time of 5, 30 and 60 days. The concentration of HMF in honey samples spiked with Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd were found to be in the range of 2100-2150, 1900-2430, 2100-2270 and 2050-2330 µg kg-1, respectively. The results of this study indicate that contamination of honey with heavy metal facilitate the formation of HMF. KEY WORDS: Fresh honey, HMF, Heavy metal ions, HPLC-DAD and Honey quality Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(1), 1-10. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i1.1