Chemistry Project on Honey Analysis

Introduction

Honey has been a staple of the kitchen for centuries. It is a natural substance produced by honeybees, Apis mellifera, in almost every country in the world. Honey is essentially a concentrated aqueous solution of inverted sugar, namely fructose and glucose, but it also contains a very complex mixture of other saccharides, enzymes, amino and organic acids, polyphenols, carotenoid-like substances, Mallaird reaction products, vitamins, and minerals. Honey is laid down by bees as a food source, and humans have exploited this. Apiarists (beekeepers) encourage the overproduction of honey within the hive, so that the excess can be extracted.

Beekeeping for the purpose of obtaining honey is an ancient art, practiced in societies at least as early as the Egyptians (2000-5000 years ago) who used honey as food, medicine and for embalming. In many cultures, honey has associations that go far beyond its use as a food. As an energy source, honey appears to be one of the most effective forms of carbohydrate to ingest after exercise. From a non-nutritional point of view, honey has been used for years to treat a variety of ailments through topical application. It has been used as a remedy for burns, ulcers and wound healing, simply because it has a soothing effect during its application to open wounds.

REQUIREMENTS

Apparatus:

• Test tubes,
• Test tube stand,
• Burner,
• Water Bath.

Chemicals:

• Fehling solution A,
• Fehling solution B,
• Ammonium chloride solution,
• Ammonium oxalate solution,
• Ammonium phosphate,
• Conc. Nitricacid,
• Potassium sulphocyanide solution.

THEORY

Honey, thick, sweet, super saturated sugar solution manufactured by bees to feed their larvae and for the subsistence during winter. Bee honey is composed of fructose, glucose and water, in varying proportions. It also contains several enzymes and oils. Honey contains about 181 substances including sugars, proteins, water, vitamins, minerals, hydroxymethyfurfural (HMF), enzymes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, volatile compounds, and so on.

However, the main constituents of honey (as previously stated) are glucose and fructose, water, maltose, sucrose, mineral matter and proteins. The color & flavor depends on the age of the honey and the sources of the nectar .Light colored honeys are usually of higher quality than dark coloured honeys. Other high grade honeys are made by bees from orange blossoms, clover and Alfalfa. A well known, poorer grade honey is produced from buckwheat.

Honey has a fuel value of about 3307 cal/kg [1520 cal/ lbs]. It readily picks up moisture from the air and is consequently used as a moistioning agent for Tobaco and in baking. Glucose crystallizes out of honey on standing at room temperature, leaving on uncrystallized layer of dissolved fructose. Honey to be marketed is usually heated by a special process to about 66oC [150.01 F] to dissolve the crystals and is sealed to prevent crystallization. The fructose in crystallized honey ferments readily at about 160C.

PROCEDURE

TEST FOR MINERALS

1.  Test for Potassium:- 2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and picric acid solution is added. Yellow precipitate indicates the presence of K+.
2.  Test for Calcium:- 2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and NH4Cl solution and NH4OH solution are added to it. The solution is filtered and to the filtrate 2ml of ammonium oxalate solution is added. White ppt. or milkiness indicates the presence of Ca2+ ions.
3. Test for Magnesium:- 2 ml of honey is taken in a test tube and NH4Cl solution is added to it and then excess of Ammonium phospate solution is added. The side of the testtube is scratched with a glass rod. White precipitate indicates the presence of Mg2+ ions.
4. Test for Iron:- 2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and a drop of conc. HNO3 is added and it is heated. It is cooled and 2-3 drops of Potassium sulphocyanide solution is added to it. Blood red colour shows the presence of iron.

TEST FOR CARBOHYDRATES

1. Fehling`s test :- 2 mL of honey is taken in a test tube and 1mL each of Fehling`s solution A and Fehling`s solution B are
   added to it and boiled. Red precipitate indicates the presence of reducing sugars.
2. Tollen`s test: 2-3 mL of aqueous solution of honey is taken in a test tube. 2-3mL of Tollen`s reagent is added. The test tube is kept in a boiling water bath for about ten minutes. A shining silver mirror indicates the presence of reducing carbohydrates.

RESULT

• Potassium is present.
• Iron is present.
• Calcium is absent.
• Magnesium is absent.
• Honey contains reducing sugar.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Laboratory Manual of Chemistry
2. www.wikipedia.com
3. www.answers.com
4. www.icbse.com
5. www.google.com
6. www.investigatoryprojectchemistry.blogspot.in