Characterization of Invertase and Diastase Activities, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Content and Hydrogen Peroxide Production of Some Algerian Honeys

Abstract

Sixty-six honey samples collected from various regions in Algeria were explored for their enzymes activities, hydrogen peroxide production, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content in the aim to enrich national and international database information about the quality of Algerian honeys. Correlations among the studied parameters were also investigated. Regarding the botanical origins of the selected honeys, 7 samples belong to Hedysarum coronarium, 18 to Eucalyptus spp., 6 to Pimpinella anisum, 1 to Cistus sp., 1 to Tamarix sp., 2 to Rubus sp., 1 to Daucus sp., 1 to Vicia sp., 2 to Citrus sp., 1 to Centaurea sp., 1 to Sedum sp. and 25 samples are multifloral. The obtained results demonstrated that invertase and diastase activities, HMF content and hydrogen peroxide accumulation vary significantly among samples even within the same honey type. In general, the diastatic activity ranged from 4 to 40 DN while invertase activity varied from 0 to 20 IN. The relation between both enzymes, expressed by the invertase/diastase ratio, exhibited index values ranging from 0 to 1.45 for all samples. Besides, HMF content ranged between 0.5 and 52.8 mg/kg and the hydrogen peroxide accumulation fluctuated from 0 to 30 µg/g/h. Significant positive correlation was established between invertase and diastase activities (r value = 0.47**), whereas negative correlations were revealed between diastatic activity and HMF content (r value = − 0.32*) from apart, and between invertase activity and HMF content from another part (r value = − 0.47**). It seems that invertase activity is a more sensitive indicator of heating, conditioning and storing time than the other studied parameters. However, HMF content and hydrogen peroxide offer a fast and good indication of honey quality.