Chemical Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Honey Harvested from Bee Farms in Oyo State

Artisanal honey production in Oyo State, South West Nigeria, has expanded in recent years, yet quality assurance frameworks for local honey products remain underdeveloped, limiting access to premium domestic and export markets. This study determines the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of honey samples from 12 bee farms distributed across Iseyin, Saki, and Ogbomoso Local Government Areas. Fresh honey was collected during the harvesting season, filtered, and analysed for moisture content, pH, acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, colour, electrical conductivity, diastase activity, sugar composition by HPLC, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity by DPPH assay. Moisture content ranged from 16.3% to 21.8%, with four samples exceeding the Codex Alimentarius maximum of 20%. Hydroxymethylfurfural concentrations were below the international limit of 40 mg/kg in all samples, confirming minimal heat exposure during processing. Fructose and glucose together constituted 67 to 74% of total carbohydrates. Diastase activity was above the Codex minimum in all but two samples collected from farms with longer post-harvest storage periods. Total phenolic content ranged from 124 to 382 mg gallic acid equivalent per kilogram, with Iseyin samples recording the highest antioxidant activity. The study provides quality benchmarking data for Oyo State honey producers seeking compliance certification with national and international honey standards. Keywords: honey quality, physicochemical properties, HMF, antioxidant activity, Oyo State