HORTICULTURE

Detailed explanation-1: -According to the National Honey Board, the acidity of honey ranges from a pH of about 3.4 to about 6.1, with an average of 3.9. The acidity of any honey is directly related to the floral sources that created it. Therefore, honey is acidic in nature (pH range from 1-6.9 are acidic in nature).

Detailed explanation-2: -The pH of honey ranges between 3.5 and 5.5 depending on its botanical source, the pH of nectar, soil or plant association, and the concentration of different acids and minerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium and other ash constituents [2, 15]. Altered values may indicate fermentation or adulteration [12, 21].

Detailed explanation-3: –The acid present in honey bee sting is formic acid. The name formic acid comes from the Latin word for ant, which is ‘formica’. Chemically, it is a simple carboxylic acid that belongs to the first member of the carboxylic family. Formic acid is the common name used for the carboxylic acid i.e. methanoic acid.