Honey Drying

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B RY G R A M
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FFPs Frequently Faced Problems

When Honey is dried conventionally, the HMF (Hydro Methyle
Furfural) content in the Honey often goes upto 40% due to
over heating. Honey with high moisture content is not
acceptable to the Pharmaceutical Industry, where the Honey
finds maximum usage. Internationally, the demand for Monoflora Honey (Honey produced from single type of flower) is
very high especially due to its application in the
Pharmaceutical Industry. It is required with a moisture content
of 19% and Hydro Methyle Furfural (HMF) content 25%. If the
honey has a moisture content higher than specified, it has to
be dried to achieve a moisture content of 19%.

General Recommendations: RH to be maintained

Honey is required with a moisture content of 19% and Hydro Methyle Furfural (HMF) content 25%. If the honey has
a moisture content higher than specified, it has to be dried to achieve a moisture content of 19%. It is
recommended that the honey is dried at 35C to a moisture content of 19%.

Solutions
When the Airgineers at Bry-Air were contacted to solve the problem of over heating, they studied the conventional
and current method of drying prior to recommending the solution.

Here is what they learnt:

Honey is mainly of three types :
Mono-Flora Honey - Honey produced from single type of flower
Poly Flora Honey - Produced from various types of flowers
Forest Honey - Produced from Forest Flower
Raw honey after being collected from the farmer by the processor was cleansed of all unwanted material, viz., dead
bees, limbs, and parts of beehives by filtration. Then, it was dried to achieve a moisture content of 19%.

Conventional Method:
The honey is kept inside a drum and continuously stirred. Hot water is circulated through a jacket surrounding the
drum filled with honey. The Honey, thus, was heated indirectly to a temperature of 65 C to bring down the moisture
content to 19% from the existing 25-30%.The problem was that the HMF content goes up to over 40% due to
heating over 35C.

Bry-Air Recommendation:
The Airgineers at Bry-Air recommended that honey be spread on trays to a maximum thickness of 4 inch inside an
enclosed room. Dehumidified air is then circulated inside the room, which is maintained at temperature of 35C.
The temperature being maintained by an airconditioner. This allows reduction of moisture content without raising
the HMF content. It was also suggested to pack the dried honey into the containers inside the dehumidified room,
so that the dried honey does not regain moisture.

References Some

Kesriwal Enterprises

Mirjanagar Gramoday Sahyog Samiti Limited

Modified on: 01st August 2011