English

Abstract

The consumption of honey offers a unique combination of bioactive compounds and quality control of this product is of fundamental importance to guarantee food safety, preserve its properties and protect consumers from fraud and contamination. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the quality of 31 samples obtained from beekeepers in the southern and northern regions of the state of Tocantins. In order to detect possible alterations, the following tests were carried out: Lugol and Lund reaction and dye testing. The following parameters were evaluated: pH, total acidity, ash, conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by UV-vis, humidity and soluble solids. All the samples tested negative for Lugol and the Lund reaction showed the formation of the maximum precipitate allowed in the range of 0.6 to 3.0 mL. The results for pH (3.36 + 0.12 and 4.43 + 0.09), conductivity (μS.cm^-1) (214.9 + 1.48 and 856.8 + 1.41) and soluble solids (82-85° Brix) were in line with studies cited in the literature, since these parameters do not have maximum permitted values established by legislation. Total acidity (meq.kg^-1) was 2.25 + 0.83 and 13.93 + 1.18, in line with the legislation. As for ash (%), 19% of the samples were non-compliant and for hydroxymethylfurfural (mg.kg^-1) and moisture content (%), only 6.45% of the samples were outside the established limits. The results obtained in this study generally show that honey producers in the southern and northern regions of the state of Tocantins provide a product of quality for consumers, highlighting the importance of proper management and the use of good practices, and that there is promising potential for beekeeping activities.