Characterization of Eucalyptus, Chestnut and Heather Honeys from Portugal Using Multi-Parameter Analysis and Chemo-Calculus.

Miguel Maia,Anastasia Badeka,Ioannis Karabagias,Vassilios Karabagias,Ilias Gatzias

doi:10.3390/foods7120194

Miguel Maia, Anastasia Badeka + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/foods7120194

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the quality and bio-functional properties of Portuguese honeys of different botanical and geographical origins. Quality parameter analyses included the determination of palynological (predominant, secondary, minor and isolated pollen percentage), physicochemical (°Brix, moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, free acidity, total dissolved solids, salinity, vitamin C content and specific weight) including colour-metrics (CIELAB, Pfund and colour intensity determinations), along with volatile compounds identification using solid phase micro-extraction coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Bio-activity parameter analysis included the determination of in vitro antioxidant activity and total phenolic content using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl and Folin-Ciocalteu assays, respectively. Melissopalynological analysis showed that Portuguese honeys were classified as eucalyptus, chestnut and heather, recording significant variations (p < 0.05) among physicochemical, volatile and bio-activity parameter analyses according to both: botanical and geographical origin. Based on the multi-parameter analysis data Portuguese honeys could be characterized by a distinctive colour, a characteristic aroma, whereas conform to the European legislation relating to honey identity and quality. Specific attention should be given in the case of heather honey which showed the highest in vitro antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. Parameters that were also highly correlated using bivariate statistics.

Highlights

Honey, the sweet product of Apis mellifera honeybees, has been serving as an irritator of research the last decades, since numerous studies have been published related to its quality and authenticity
In a previous work dealing with eucalyptus Portuguese honeys produced in the Entre-Douro e Minho region Feás et al [17] reported a pollen grain percentage of Eucalyptus spp. pollen grains ranging between 44–79%, with an average value of ca. 58%
Nova de Ceira region (Coimbra) being much higher than the results reported for total phenolic content of heather honey from Boticas region in Portugal [21]

Summary

Introduction

The sweet product of Apis mellifera honeybees, has been serving as an irritator of research the last decades, since numerous studies have been published related to its quality and authenticity. The EU Council directive relating to honey [1] has established some specific compositional criteria that should be followed for the determination of honey quality and declaration of origin. Its market distribution along with an attractive price is based on the latter’s identity. A prospective ideal identity demands the honey to possess a unique composition and properties. The contribution of scientific community to that good should be acknowledged since the botanical and geographical origin identification, composition of honey along with its properties has been exhaustively studied. Indicative studies have focused on melissopalynological analysis, sugar and moisture content determinations, colour determination, sensory analysis, volatile compounds

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