Detection of the Electrical Conductivity and Acidity of Honey from Different Areas of Tepi
Honey is the ingredient of most industrial products for sweetening and improving its food composition. The study is therefore based on the determination of physical parameters such as electrical conductivity and acidity. The instrumentation and apparatuses used in the work are conductometry and titration apparatuses. Honey samples obtained from different areas with respect to Tepi town have been analyzed and the result obtained is on the basis of conductometry and acidity measurement. Hence 20g of each anhydrous honey sample was weighed and dissolved in 100mL of deionized water in order to prepare 20 %( w/v) solution to measure conductivity. The acidity is detected after 10g of each honey sample is dissolved in 75mL of deionized water. The conductivity in summer honey determined to be 0.097mS/cm, 0.153mS/cm 0.117mS/cm and 0.337mS/cm in Korcha, Mexi, Sheko and Gobito respectively. Acidity is found to be 17, 28.67, 29 and 25miliequi/Kg. The conductivity in winter honey is detected to be 0.123, 0.186, 0.103 and 0.246mS/cm. The acidity in winter honey is 3.36-4.26 and 18.3-25.3meq/Kg from pH meter and titration respectively. The conductivity of darker honey is slightly greater than lighter honey, which indicated that the darker honey has more mineral content; and acidity of three honey samples is almost similar. The honey products are safe and fit the international honey commission standard and probably both darker and lighter honey are nutritionally important.
Composition of Sugars in Honey Produced in the South-South and South-West Regions of Nigeria
Six samples of honey from two states in Nigeria, Cross River and Oyo were investigated. (Igoli in Ogoja, farm bred and wild species from Obudu, Agoi Ibami, Eruwa and Iseyin) were analysed for their sugar components, Hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), free acidity and electrical conductivity. Honey is composed of various sugars but the dominant sugars are two monosaccharide, fructose and glucose which are also reducing sugars. Honey is used for various purposes including medicinal, cosmetics, in the food industry, bakery and confectionary. The sugar contents were analysed using the HPLC with refractive Index (RI). The European Commission procedures were used to analyse HMF and electrical conductivity, while free acidity was analysed by AOAC methods (1999). The results of the analysis showed that although fructose and glucose were predominant in all the samples, only two samples, Igoli in Ogoja and Obudu farm bred met the Codex Alimentarius standard for fructose and glucose at 60g/100g. Fructose values (g/100g) reported for Igoli in Ogoja, Obudu farm, Agoi Ibami, Obudu wild, Eruwa and Iseyin were 34.92 ± 0.12, 36.45 ± 0.14, 30.50 ± 0.06, 28.45 ± 0.09, 33.40 ± 0.17, and 30.45 ± 0.09 respectively. Sucrose in all the honey samples met the Codex Alimentarius standard of < 5g/100g limit. Fructose/glucose ratio for all the samples was greater than 1 which indicated slower crystallization of all the honey samples. Values of free acidity ranged from 11.57 ± 0.07 to 18.60 ± 0.10meq/kg, which were lower than the 50meq/kg limit set by the Council of the European Union showing the absence of undesirable fermentation. HMF concentration in the samples all met the International optimum value of 40mg/kg reported by European Union and 80mg/kg for honey from the tropics. Electrical conductivity of the samples varied from 0.41 ± 0.01 to 0.63 ± 0.00mS/cm. The results showed that the honey samples sold locally in Nigeria meet the required international standards for honey.
Inference and Evidence in Archaeology: A Discussion of the Conceptual Problems
Publisher Summary This chapter dicsusses the general features of scientific inference and explains the way inference has been discussed by archaeologists. It presents an explication of current problems in the various areas: (1) the justification of archaeological conclusions, (2) the concepts of archaeological evidence, and (3) the undeveloped relations between archaeological theory and archaeological evidence. The chapter defines these problems and explains the way to resolve them. To resolve many of the problems surrounding uncertain links between inference and evidence, archaeologists should develop a rigorous model that specifies the way information about the past is transmitted to the present via material remains. The chapter presents the structure of such a model. However, establishing relevant data to support conclusions about past phenomena is only part of the overall process of generating archaeological knowledge. Some of the processes responsible for producing the material remains that archaeologists manipulate in assembling evidence to support claims about past phenomena are described in the chapter.