Analysis of honey

Tathagata Chakraborty Class XII

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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this bonafide project work “ANALYSIS OF HONEY” in the
subject of chemistry has been done by “Tathagata Chakraborty” of class XII science
in the academic year 20132014 conducted by CBSE. It is further certified that this
project is the individual work of the candidate. Signature: Date:

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I hereby acknowledge my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to Chemistry
teacher, Abdul Razak and Principal, Shri P.C. Raju whose immense help, genius
guidance, encouragement, necessary suggestions, initiations, enthusiasm and
inspiration made this work a master art and a joint enterprise. I also thank my
parents, my friends, especially to Chaitanya S.L, who helped me regarding the
selection of my topic for this project.

Tathagata Chakraborty

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INDEX
Contents
Aim Requirements Theory Procedure Observation Results Bibliography

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5 6 7 9 12 13 14

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AIM
To analyze the available honey for presence of different minerals and
carbohydrates.

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REQUIREMENTS:
APPARATUS
Test Tubes Test Tube Stand Burner Water Bath 6-7 1 1 1 2ml 3ml 3ml 3ml 3ml 3ml 3ml

CHEMICALS
Fehling’s Soln. A Fehling’s Soln. B Ammonium Chloride Ammonium Oxalate Ammonium
Phosphate Conc. Nitric Acid Potassium Sulphocyanide Soln.

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THEORY
Honey, thick, sweet, super saturated sugar solution manufactured by bees to feed
their larvae and for the subsistence during winter.

Bee honey is composed of fructose, glucose and water, in varying proportions. It

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Honey has a fuel value of about 3307 cal/kg [1520 cal/ lbs]. It readily picks up
moisture from the air and is consequently used as a moistening agent for Tobacco
and in baking. Glucose crystallizes out of honey on standing at room temperature,
leaving on un-crystallized layer of dissolved fructose. Honey to be marketed is
usually heated by a special process to about 66oC [150.01 F] to dissolve the
crystals and is sealed to prevent crystallization. The fructose in crystallized
honey ferments readily at about 160C.

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PROCEDURE:TEST FOR MINERALS:1. Test for Potassium:2ml of honey is taken in a test
tube and picric acid solution is added. Yellow precipitate indicates the presence
of K+.

2. Test for Calcium:2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and NH4Cl solution and
NH4OH solution are added to it. The solution is filtered and to the filtrate 2ml of
ammonium oxalate solution is added. White ppt. or milky indicates the presence of
Ca2+ ions.

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3. Test for Magnesium:2 ml of honey is taken in a test tube and NH4Cl solution is
added to it and then excess of Ammonium phosphate solution is added. The side of
the test tube is scratched with a glass rod. White precipitate indicates the
presence of Mg2+ ions.

4. Test for Iron:2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and a drop of conc. HNO3 is
added and it is heated. It is cooled and 2-3 drops of Potassium sulphocyanide
solution is added to it. Blood red colour shows the presence of iron.

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TEST FOR CARBOHYDRATES:1. Fehling`s test:2ml of honey is taken in a test tube and
1ml each of Fehling`s solution A and Fehling`s solution B are added to it and
boiled. Red precipitate indicates the presence of reducing sugars. 2. Tollen`s
test:2-3 ml of aqueous solution of honey is taken in a test tube. 2-3ml of Tollen`s
reagent is added. The test tube is kept in a boiling water bath for about ten
minutes. A shining silver mirror indicates the presence of reducing carbohydrates.

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OBSERVATION TABLE:SL. NO

TESTS
Test for Potassium:Honey + Picric acid solution

OBSERVATION INFERENCE
Yellow ppt. is observed Potassium is present.

1.

Test for Calcium:-

2.

Honey + NH4Cl soln. + NH4OH soln. filtered + (NH4)2C2O4

White ppt. or milky is not observed

Calcium is absent.

Test for Magnesium:-

3.

Honey+ NH4OH (till solution becomes alkaline) + (NH4)3Po4

White ppt. is not observed

Magnesium is absent.

Test for Iron:-

4.

Honey+ conc.HNO3, heated and cooled, + potassium sulphocyanide

Blood red colour is observed

Iron is present.

Fehling`s test:-

5. 6.

Honey + 1ml each of Fehling`s solution A and Fehling`s solution B

Reducing sugar is Red ppt. is observed present.

Tollen’s test:Honey + 2-3ml Tollen`s reagent, test tube in water bath for 10
minutes Shining silver mirror is observed

Reducing carbohydrate is present

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REPORT:I finally conclude the project with result and conclusion. From the above
experiment we come to know that honey is a sweet tasting substance. It does not
only contain sugar but also other substance. I have done a research work on it on
the basis of the experiments and found that-

 Potassium is present.  Iron is present.  Calcium is absent.  Magnesium is

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Bibliography:    
www.projects.icbse.com/chemistry www.projectsyapa.com/chemistry Comprehensive
Practical Chemistry Google Images Praadeep New Course Chemistry

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