Sidr Ziziphus spina-christi Honey Quality Across Western Libya: A Preliminary Physicochemical and Pollen-Based Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54361/LJMR.20.2.69Keywords:
Sidr honey, Ziziphus spina-christi, melissopalynology, physicochemical properties, electrical conductivity, geographical origin, sugar composition, Western Libya; Tukey HSDAbstract
Background: Sidr honey is a valuable natural product with recognized nutritional and bioactive properties, yet information on its physicochemical quality in Libya remains scarce. This study aimed to characterize selected quality parameters of Sidr honey from Western Libya and provide baseline data for future nutritional and therapeutic investigations. Methods: Honey samples were collected from four regions (Zawia, Tarhuna, Sabratha, Qasr Khiar). Two beekeepers per region were sampled during two harvesting periods separated by 7–14 days. Each beekeeper contributed three jars per period, yielding 48 jars in total. Jars from each period were pooled into composite samples (n = 2 per region), homogenized, and analyzed in triplicate. Botanical origin was verified by sensory indicators and confirmed by melissopalynological analysis, with Ziziphus spina-christi pollen predominating (60–67%). Regional differences were assessed using one-way ANOVA (df = 3, 20) followed by Tukey’s HSD. Given the small sample size, parameters near the 0.05 threshold were interpreted cautiously. Results: Regional variation was observed in moisture, viscosity, electrical conductivity, total soluble solids, pH, free acidity, lactone, total acidity, fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and the glucose/water ratio (p ≤ 0.020), though these findings should be interpreted as exploratory given the analytical design (n=6 replicates per region, derived from 2 composite samples measured in triplicate). Moisture ranged from 17.40 ± 0.49% (Tarhuna) to 19.16 ± 0.54% (Sabratha), while electrical conductivity varied from 0.015 ± 0.003 S/cm (Zawia) to 0.025 ± 0.005 S/cm (Qasr Khiar). pH increased significantly across regions (4.20–5.08; p = 0.0016), with Tarhuna, Sabratha, and Qasr Khiar means exceeding the upper bound (4.5) typically reported for genuine honey, a finding that warrants further verification. Fructose ranged from 44.02 ± 0.95 g/100 g (Tarhuna) to 49.62 ± 0.55 g/100 g (Zawia). Specific gravity and the fructose/glucose ratio (1.51–1.69) did not differ significantly among regions (p ≥ 0.238). Conclusion: This study provides a preliminary baseline characterisation of Libyan Sidr honey, melissopalynologically supported as monofloral. Given the limited sample size, the observed regional patterns should be regarded as preliminary indications rather than confirmed geographic differences, and this dataset establishes a foundation for broader investigations into nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and therapeutic potential.
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