Experiment code 21.5.3.9
Experiment Title Assessment of physical and biochemical properties of different floral honey
Research Type Departmental Research
Experiment Background Honey may be categorized and show variation according to its origin, floral source such as monofloral and polyfloral, harvesting method, processing (comb honey, strained honey, chunk honey, extracted honey, pressed honey, crystallized or granulated honey) and its use such as table honey, industrial or baker’s honey (Alvarez-Suarez et al. 2014). The quality of honey is mainly determined by its physical and biochemical properties (Khalil et al., 2012). Important physical parameters of honey are pH, EC (Electrical Conductivity), moisture content, specific gravity, colour, ash content, optical density and minerals. The physical and biochemical properties may vary among different unifloral or multifloral honey. The research related to physical and biochemical properties of different kinds of honey is scanty in India. Therefore, the present research is proposed to find out physical and biochemical variation in different floral honey. Further, such kind of study will be used for knowing the range of quality parameters in different floral honey and may also be useful for setting quality standards in various floral honey in India. The variation in the quality parameters can be further exploited for its efficient utilization. Hypothesis The present study is proposed with the null hypothesis (H0) that different floral sources of honey would not differ in its physicochemical and biochemical properties
Experiment Group Forestry
Unit Type (02)EDUCATION UNIT
Unit (61)COLLEGE OF FORESTRY (NAU, NAVSARI)
Department (2362)FOREST PRODUCTS UTILIZATION, COF, NAU, NAVSARI
BudgetHead (352/12101/00)352/01/REG/04498
Objective

1. To study the physicochemical properties of honey from different floral sources

2. To study the biochemical properties of honey from different floral sources

Season Not season specific
Location Unit Type (02)EDUCATION UNIT
Location Unit (61)COLLEGE OF FORESTRY (NAU, NAVSARI)
Location Department (2362)FOREST PRODUCTS UTILIZATION, COF, NAU, NAVSARI
Plot No FPU Lab
PI Name (NAU-EMP-2010-000956)ABHISHEK AMBASHANKAR MEHTA
PI Email aamehta@nau.in
PI Mobile 8128699081
Year of Approval 2025
Commencement Year 2025
Completion Year 2028
Design of Experiment

CRD in Lab

Crop Spacing (cm x cm)

NA

Gross Plot (m x m) NA
Net Plot (m x m) NA
Total Experiment Area (m2) NA
Plot History Last Three Year

NA

Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report

NA

Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report Attachment Attachment Not Available!
Layout Plan

NA

Layout Plan Attachment Attachment Not Available!
Treatment

Floral Sources of Honey

T1: Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi)

T2: Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

T3: Indian mesquite (Prosopis juliflora)

T4: Sesame (Sesamum indicum)

T5: Mustard (Brassica spp.)

T6: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

T7: Dill (Anethum graveolens)

T8: Forest

CRD

3 (Number of Samples per Repetition: 3)

  1. PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
  1. pH
  2. EC (dS/m)
  3. Moisture content (%)
  4. TSS (°Brix)
  5. Specific gravity
  6. Colour intensity (mAU)
  7. Ash content (%)
  8. Optical density

 

  1. BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
  1. Total phenol content (mg/kg)                                                                                       
  2. Total flavonoid content (mg/kg)
  3. DPPH - RSA (%)
  4. FRAP values (μM Fe (II)/100 g)
  5. Sugar content (%)
  6. HMF(mg/kg)
  7. Acidity (% w/w)(expressed as formic acid)

Methodology

Honey will be collected from different floral sources as per treatments. For each treatment, honey will be collected from three farms randomly. Collected samples will tag as per treatments and store as per guidelines.

Different physical and biochemical properties will be analyzed in FPU and FRM laboratories of College of Forestry, NAU, Navsari by standard procedures.

Treatment Attachment
(NAU-EMP-2010-000956) ABHISHEK AMBASHANKAR MEHTA aamehta@nau.in 8128699081 01-12-2025
Active
(NAU-EMP-2010-000869) DHIRAJI PADMAJI PATEL dppatel@nau.in 9429259249 01/12/2025
Active
(NAU-EMP-2010-000895) LAXMIKANTA . BEHERA lkbehera@nau.in 9375282020 01/12/2025
Active
(NAU-EMP-2010-000947) SATISHKUMAR BADRINARAYAN SING SINHA sksinha@nau.in 9898184255 01/12/2025
Active