Abstract

COMPARATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTINUTRITIONAL CONSTITUENTS OF NIGERIA SWEET AND BITTER HONEY VARIETIES

Adeniyi, K.A., Olayemi, I.K., Shittu K.O, Busari M.B*., Mohammed Sanni S. Bashir
L., Yusuf, R.S.

Abstract

This study elucidated the phytochemical and antinutritional composition of Nigeria sweet and bitter honey variety. Antinutritional composition, qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals of Nigerian sweet and bitter honey was carried out using standard methods. Qualitative Phytochemical analysis of the sweet and bitter honey revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins glycoside with absence of anthraquinones and phlobatannins, while steroids was detected only in sweet honey. Subsequent quantification revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the Saponins and flavonoids contents of the two honey variety. However, the tannins content of bitter honey (0.02+0.10) was significantly higher (p0.05) was observed in the phytate, oxalate and cyanide content of the two honey verities. This study suggests that irrespective of the taste of honey sample, they are rich in nutrients and phytochemicals of medicinal significance.

Keywords: Antinutrients, Sweet honey, Bitter honey and Phytochemicals.