Quality assessment and authenticity evaluation of honey samples from local traders in Peshawar, Pakistan

Honey quality is governed by botanical origin, environmental conditions, and post-harvest handling and its physicochemical composition may reflect regional ecological characteristics. This study evaluated the physicochemical quality, authenticity, and environmental relevance of seventeen honey samples (HT1-HT17) collected from local markets in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Samples were analyzed for pH, moisture, ash, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), proline content, glucose, fructose, sucrose, and F/G ratio using Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and International Honey Commission Harmonised Method. All analyses were performed in triplicate, with data evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the least significant difference (LSD) post hoc test (p < 0.05). Moisture content (6.76-15.5%) complied with the Codex Alimentarius limit (≤ 20%) across all samples. Ash (0.001-0.9%) and EC (0.03-2.3 mS/cm) showed substantial variability reflecting differences in mineral composition and potential environmental influences. HMF ranged from 5.53 to 215.46 mg/kg, with samples exceeding the Codex threshold (≤ 40 mg/kg), and indicative of thermal degradation or prolonged storage. Proline (80-574.5 mg/kg) and sucrose (up to 40% exceeding the ≤ 5% limit) further suggested adulteration, while honey samples exceeded the free acidity limit (≤ 50 mEq/kg), pointing to fermentation or deterioration. Multi-parametric evaluation identified HT7 and HT12 as non-compliant with variability in ash and EC, supporting the potential use of honey as a regional environmental bioindicator. These findings highlight the occurrence of substandard honey in local markets and underscore the need for systematic quality monitoring, regulatory enforcement, and environmental surveillance in northwestern Pakistan.