Physicochemical parameters and microbiological status of honey produced in an urban environment in Serbia

Abstract

Honey is a natural substance produced by honey bees (the genus Apis) enjoyed by people due to its unique nutritional and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical parameters (moisture, ash, water-insoluble content, reducing sugars, sucrose, free acidity, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural, and electrical conductivity) and microbiological status (total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total number of sulfite-reducing clostridia, the presence of Salmonella spp., total numbers of fungi and yeasts and the presence of Clostridium botulinum) in honey (honeydew, blossom, sunflower, acacia, and linden) produced in an urban environment in Serbia. We analyzed 19 apiary samples of honey, collected during the 2011 harvesting season, by using recommendation methods. Physicochemical parameters of the examined honey produced in the urban environment indicated the honeys were of acceptable quality. Bacillus spp. were detected in four honeys, yeasts were detected in three honeys, and Clostridium botulinum type E was detected in one honey using PCR. The current study also showed the presence of diverse honey varieties in Serbia.