Physico-chemical Properties and Botanical Origin of Honey Produced by Tetragonula biroi Friese Collected from Select Sites in Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, and Albay, Philippines

Philippine Journal of Science
152 (1): 245-252, February 2022
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 19 Aug 2022

Physico-chemical Properties and Botanical Origin
of Honey Produced by Tetragonula biroi Friese
Collected from Select Sites in Batangas, Laguna,
Quezon, and Albay, Philippines

Ma. Desiree Belina-Aldemita1,4*, Von Carlo D.G. Evangelista1, Elmer A. Polintan2,
Marlon N. Manalo1,4, Cleofas R. Cervancia3,4, Jose Rene L. Micor1,4,
and Paul Lloydson J. Alvarez1,4

1Institute of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
2Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, Naga, Camarines Sur 4400 Philippines
3Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
4University of the Philippines Los Baños Bee Program,
College, Laguna 4031 Philippines

*Corresponding author: mbaldemita@up.edu.ph

[Download]
Belina-Aldemita et al. 2023. Physico-chemical Properties and Botanical Origin of Honey Produced by Tetragonula biroi
Friese Collected from Select Sites in Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, and Albay, Philippines. Philipp J Sci 152(1): 245–252.
https://doi.org/10.56899/152.01.18

ABSTRACT

Stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi Friese) honey from four provinces of the Philippines – namely, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, and Albay – were characterized by their physico-chemical properties and botanical origin. Determination of color, moisture, electrical conductivity, ash, pH, acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), total reducing sugars (TRS), sucrose, and melissopalynological analysis was done on honey samples. The color of the honey samples ranged from extra light amber to dark amber. The percentage moisture of the samples ranged from 22.0 ± 0.0 to 25.8 ± 0.3%; electrical conductivity ranged from 1.28 ± 0.10 to 2.52 ± 0.06 mS/cm; ash content ranged from 0.36 ± 0.05 to 1.27 ± 0.06%; pH values ranged from 3.7 ± 0.0 to 4.0 ± 0.0; total acidity ranged from 149.95 ± 3.45 to 264.44 ± 1.76 meq/kg; HMF content ranged from 18.39 ± 1.18 to 33.10 ± 0.61 mg/kg; TRS ranged from 34.90 ± 0.37 to 39.72 ± 0.07%; the sucrose content ranged from 1.09 ± 0.27 to 10.41 ± 0.26%. Results of the melissopalynological analysis showed 21 pollen types. The properties of honey significantly differ based on location and botanical origin.