Evaluation of Anti-Nutritional Properties of Pure Bee Honey

Student: Tolulope Adegbola (Project, 2025)
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State

Abstract

Honey is a natural sweetener produced by honeybees from plant nectar. Although valued for its nutritional and therapeutic qualities, it may contain anti-nutritional factors that affect its safety and nutrient bioavailability. This study evaluated the anti-nutritional and physicochemical properties of pure bee honey obtained from the Bee Farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. Laboratory analyses were carried out at the Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, using standard AOAC (2005) procedures. Results revealed the following anti-nutritional contents (mg/100 g): oxalate (1.63 ± 0.055), phytate (34.94 ± 0.097), tannin (18.33 ± 0.102), saponin (2.86 ± 0.10), and hydrogen cyanide (1.09 ± 0.033). Physicochemical analyses showed fructose (40.26 ± 1.49 mg/100 g), sucrose (4.36 ± 0.75 mg/100 g), pH (3.77 ± 0.014), and titratable acidity (39.40 ± 0.85 mg/100 g). All parameters were within JECFA-recommended limits except saponin and hydrogen cyanide, which were slightly higher. The findings indicate that pure bee honey remains a valuable natural sweetener but should be monitored for anti-nutrient levels to ensure consumer safety.
Keywords: pure bee honey, anti-nutritional factors, physicochemical properties, phytochemicals

Keywords
Pure bee honey anti-nutritional factors physicochemical analysis phytate oxalate tannin saponin hydrogen cyanide nutrition LAUTECH
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