Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Components of Xinjiang Black Bee Honey in Nilka County

In order to explore the physicochemical properties and nutritional components of Xinjiang black bee honey from different production areas in Nilka County, the physicochemical properties and 14 kinds of vitamins, 10 kinds of minerals of honey samples from 7 geographic origins were determined in this study. The results showed that the glucose and fructose (≥1.14 times industry standard minimum), amylase activities (≥5.91 times industry standard minimum), sucrose (≤1.24%) and water content (≤18.5%) in honey samples from all origins were much superior to the relevant provisions of the national standard (GH/T 18796-2012). Vitamin E (0.146~0.290 mg/100 g) as one of fat-soluble vitamins was only detected in the form of delta-tocopherol; vitamin B₂ (0.061~0.159 mg/100 g), vitamin B₆ (0.023~0.064 mg/100 g), nicotinic acid (0.263~1.909 mg/100 g), pantothenic acid(0.142~0.293 mg/100 g )and folic acid (2.185~14.564 μg/100 g) as water-soluble vitamins were detected in honey. Mineral determination showed the properties of Xinjiang black bee honey in Nilka County had high potassium and low sodium (potassium-sodium ratio mean 21.37), high calcium (mean 40.634 mg/kg), and rich selenium(0.047~0.243 mg/kg). Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that honey from seven different producing areas could be divided into four categories by the detected vitamins and minerals, with distinct characteristics among the major categories of honey. Nilka Xinjiang black bee honey is rich in vitamins and minerals, which has great potential to develop as local characteristic honey.