Survey of Hygienic Quality of Honey Samples Collected form Qazvin Province during 2011-2012

Background & Aims of the Study: Consumption of honey has remarkably increased in thelast years all over the world. Factors such as plant species, environmental, processing, andstoring condition are affecting honey quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluation ofHygienic quality of honey samples produced from Qazvin province.Materials and Methods: 34 fresh honey Samples were obtained from beekeepers fromdifferent regions of the alamut area in the period between June and November 2011. Themicrobial contamination (bacteria and fungi) was determined using conventionalmicrobiological methods and the total aflatoxin was detected by high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC).Results: The results of microbial analysis showed that the aerobic mesophil bacteria count(50 cfu/g) and fungal count (1.5*102 cfu/g) were in low levels. However, coliforms werenot detected in any of the honey sample. The most prevalent bacteria and fungi wereBacillus cereus and Aspergillus flavus respectively. Based on the HPLC method analysis,all of honey samples were contaminated whit aflatoxin and the mean concentration ofaflatoxin was 3.67 ppb. Also the aflatoxin levels in 35% honey samples were higher thanthe maximum allowable amount of Europe Union (4 μg/kg).Conclusion: According to the results, should have more control on the Hygienic quality ofhoney over the production, storage and supply periods in this area.

Keywords:

Honey , Hygienic quality , Aflatoxin , Chromatography , HPLC , Qazvin , Iran