Storage duration impact on the nutritional quality of honey from Burkina Faso

---

Résumé

Beekeeping is a rapidly expanding income-generating activity in several countries. Since 2003, good honey-harvesting practices, implemented with support from beekeeping centers, have yielded honey of high physicochemical quality. However, honey preservation remains a challenge to maintain its bioactive compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of storage time on the quality of honey produced at the Koudougou beekeeping center in Burkina Faso. Fifteen samples, harvested at different times between 2020 and 2022, were collected and analyzed. Physicochemical, biochemical, and antioxidant properties were determined using standard methods, including direct and spectrophotometric methods. The results showed relative stability in the physicochemical features, although the 2020 honeys exhibited higher electrical conductivity and free acidity, and a lower pH, compared with those of 2021 and 2022. The highest moisture content (22.30% ± 0.17%) was recorded in batch n°4 of the 2022 honeys (HN4-2022), while the highest Brix level (82.00% ± 0.1%) was observed in batch n°13 of the 2021 honeys (HN13-2021). In contrast, storage time significantly influenced biochemical composition and antioxidant capacity. The highest concentrations of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), total polyphenols, and total sugars were 1,270.63 ± 6.72 mg/kg) (HN13-2021), 2,037.64 ± 4.28 mg GAE/100 g (HN18-2020) and 88.74 ± 2.03 mg, E.G.,/100 mg (HN8-2020) respectively. The highest antioxidant capacity was recorded at 4.07 ± 0.06 mg GAE/mL (HN8-2020) for free radical scavenging capacity (IC50) and 4.22 ± 0.16 mg AEA/100 mg (HN18-2020) for iron ion reducing capacity. These results indicate that storage time affects the nutritional quality of honey from Koudougou, Burkina Faso.

Mots-clés

Honey, Antioxidant, Biochemical, Storage, Burkina Faso