The correlation between water activity and % moisture in honey: Fundamental aspects and application to Argentine honeys

摘要

The present work examined some fundamental aspects of the relationship between water activity and % moisture in honey. For this purpose a theoretical analysis was made on water activity lowering in sugar solutions and honey; the correlation between water activity and % moisture in Argentine honeys was then experimentally determined and explained on the basis of the above analysis. A very good straight line relationship (correlation coefficient 0.971) was found between both parameters in the range examined (15-21% moisture), and also the goodness of fit of the regression equation was found to be quite satisfactory. Previous literature results were compared with the present ones.