THE COLOR AND MINERAL-COMPOSITION OF HONEYS PRODUCED IN MAJOR VEGETATION AREAS OF GHANA

Mineral constituents of light and dark coloured honey samples collecte d from three major vegetation areas in Ghana were analysed by atomic a bsorption spectrophotometry (AAS). A questionnaire survey was carried out in bee-keeping areas of each of the vegetation areas to identify t he bee plant species. Mineral elements such as calcium, phosphorus, ma gnesium, potassium, iron, manganese and copper were detected in all th e samples. Sodium was not detected in the light honey samples. The con centration of all the elements was generally much higher in the dark s amples than in the light ones, and this was attributed to the plant sp ecies which served as a source of nectar for honey in the various vege tation areas.