Physicochemical analysis of Pineapple Honey / Nur Nadia Hani Norazmi

Pineapple honey is a rare type of honey found by Malaysian beekeepers and produced by the European honey bee Apis Mellifera. The physical and chemical properties of honey were varied based on their botanical and geographical states which also being used as indicator for honey quality. This study was aimed to investigate the physicochemical analysis of Pineapple honey collected from Kampung Parit Botak, Johor Baharu. Physicochemical analysis of honey was determined using standard methods, International Honey Commision (IHC). The textural analysis of honey was measured by textural analyzer and rheometer. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to identify the source of pollen in Pineapple honey. Based on the Codex Alimentrius Standards and European Standards, the physicochemical properties of Pineapple honey such as the ash content (0.09%±0.01), color intensity (95.49±9.04), electrical conductivity (0.37±0.001 mS/cm), moisture content (14.83±0.67 %), pH (3.49±0.06) and free acidity (47.67±1.45) are within the standard limit. The firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, viscosity, surface stickness and stringness were 29.23±4.24 g, 198.86±25.67 gsec, 8.69±0.05 g, 2340±208.87 mPa·s, 4.21±0.02 g, 13.97±0.08 mm, respectively. Pollen analysis showed the presence of Ananas cosmosus as major pollen identified, followed by Robinia pseudoacacia, Asytasia gangetica and unidentified pollen. Based on pollen frequency classes, Pineapple honey is classified under monofloral honey. In conclusion, the results of physicochemical and pollen analysis revealed that Pineapple honey from Johor Baharu is good in purity and quality.