EVALUATING ACACIA HONEY QUALITY THROUGH BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF AUTHENTICITY

Saudi acacia (Talh) honey, produced from the nectar of Acacia gerrardii trees prevalent in Saudi Arabia, is regarded as one of the most distinguished varieties of honey in the region.  Locals use it extensively, for therapeutic and medical purposes, and it is also incorporated into various foods. This study examined two key quality indicators hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) level and diastase activity (DN) in fresh Talh honey. Adherence to guidelines is crucial for the health and purity of honey. Measuring the HMF and DN is important because elevated HMF or reduced DN may indicate prolonged storage, poor conditions, overheating, or adulteration.  These indicators also reflect how effectively  beekeepers maintain honey quality during extraction, storage, and marketing. The mean HMF levels were 2.93±1.0 and 1.32±0.3 mg/kg in the first and second years, respectively, while the mean DN values were 12.49 ± 0.1 and 19.3 ± 1.8 Schade units in the same years, respectively. These results were well within local and international standard requirements. Such measurements are valuable for assessing honey quality, which is essential for both worldwide trade and medical use. The present study therefore provides baseline information on acacia (Talh) honey.