Abstract:
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Wag Himra Zone in three districts (Ziqualla, Sekota, and Gazgibilla) selected based on their beekeeping potential, experience, distribution of honeybee, honeybee flora, honey production potential and agro ecologies with the objectives “Botanical and geographical characterization of Eastern Amhara honeys in selected districts of Wag Himra Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia”. From nine kebeles, 180 beekeepers were selected for the household field survey. For honey quality analysis 37 honey samples were taken from (Midland, Highland, Lowland, and at three district markets). The quality parameters were examined in SDARC labratory. The sensory testing panel consists of 15 selected and trained people testing were performed in a sensory laboratory. The survey and pollen analysis result have indicated that 60 and 29 species of flowering plants categorized in 33 and 15 families were identified. Besides, ten monofloral honeys were investigated for botanical origin with a dominance level ranging from 45.5% (Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Echinops spp) to 89.8 (Guizotia abyssinica). The mean (± SD) reducing sugars, sucrose, pH, moisture, mineral, HMF, acidity, ash, electrical conductivity and specific rotation contents of the honey samples collected from the study area were 67.71±4.55%, 3.85±1.81%, 3.71±0.33, 18.40%±1.71%, 17.15±9.12mg/kg, 24.63±5.95 milli equivalent/kg, 0.30±0.19 g/100g, 0.50±0.16 mS/cm and -10.60±3.14 respectively. The judges in the sensory evaluation determined that lowland honey was found to be better-preferred honey types by panelists’ in terms of their smell, color, thickness, mouth fills (texture), taste, sweetness and after taste than midland and highland honey. The honey produced in the area has good quality and thus has promising potential for the export market. Finally, it is recommended that market promotion and popularization by labeling with their brand name to these honey types, certification of the local honey producers, with active collaboration of different stakeholders should be made for sustainable development of the subsector in the area.
Key words: Botanical, monofloral, multi floral, pollen spectrum, cluster and dominance