Assessment of Physicochemical Quality of Honey Samples from Selected States in the North Central Geopolitical Zone

Honey is a natural product of significant nutritional, medicinal, and commercial value, but adulteration and poor storage practices compromise its quality and safety for consumers across Nigerian markets. This study assesses the physicochemical quality of honey samples obtained from local producers and open market traders in Nasarawa, Kwara, and Kogi States in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Parameters determined include moisture content, specific gravity, refractive index, pH, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, diastase activity, electrical conductivity, colour, and total reducing sugars, following International Honey Commission analytical methods. Samples are collected in standardised sealed containers from beekeepers and market sellers and stored at four degrees Celsius until analysis. Results are compared against Codex Alimentarius and European Union honey quality standards. The study also applies high-performance liquid chromatography-based sugar profiling to screen for potential sucrose adulteration. Statistical clustering analysis is used to group samples by quality tier and geographical origin. Results are anticipated to reveal a subset of market samples with elevated hydroxymethylfurfural content attributable to improper heating during processing and prolonged ambient storage. Findings provide practical quality benchmarks for honey producers, traders, and regulatory agencies operating in the North Central beekeeping sector. Keywords: honey quality, physicochemical analysis, hydroxymethylfurfural, North Central Nigeria, adulteration