POLLEN AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HONEY SAMPLES FROM OMALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Six honey samples (OM1- OM6) were collected from Kenya Topbar hives set up in Bagana, Olla, Agojeju-Odo, Odamagu, Ajoniyebi and Ikeffi in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria, in March 2012. Matured honey samples were processed by pressing the combs and filtering through a mesh of appropriate size to eliminate organic debris but suitable for the passage of pollen grains. They were analyzed for their pollen contents and physicochemical properties. Acetolysis followed standard methods. Pollen analysis was undertaken using Leica DM2500 light microscope. Physicochemical analysis also followed standard methods to determine the pH, sucrose, protein, specific gravity, electrical conductivity and moisture contents of the samples. A total of 59 pollen types belonging to 29 families were identified. A striate grain and two others remained unidentified. All the honey samples were multiforal types. The physicochemical parameters analyzed were subjected to one way ANOVA and showed significant differences in the values obtained in some samples, but all fell within the limits of the CODEX internationally accepted standards for European honeys, safe for pollen contents. The implications of these with the prospects in Nigerian honey were discussed.