Chemical and Antioxidant Characterization of the Portuguese Heather Honey from Calluna vulgaris

Luís Rodrigues Da Silva,Renan Campos Chisté,Eduarda Fernandes

doi:10.3390/separations8100177

Abstract

The Calluna vulgaris honey produced in Portugal, concerning its phenolic compounds and abscisic acids profiles, as well as its antioxidant activity and the protective effect against oxidative damage in human erythrocytes were herein performed for the first time. The phenolic and abscisic acid profiles were tentatively identified by LC-MS/MS (17 compounds). The total content of phenolics and abscisic acids was 15,446.4 µg/g of honey extract, with catechin derivatives and abscisic acids being major constituents. The highest scavenging capacity was found against reactive nitrogen species. Additionally, the honey extract prevented ROO•-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes collected from human blood, by inhibiting hemolysis, lipid peroxidation and hemoglobin oxidation. In conclusion, C. vulgaris honey contains high content of catechin derivatives and abscisic acids that may be responsible for its biological activity, characterized by a strong antioxidant capacity, which adds up to the nutritional value of this delicacy.

Highlights

Heather is the common designation of honeys obtained from plants that belongs to Ericaceae family
The phenolics and abscisic acids of C. vulgaris honey extract produced in Portugal were determined for the first time by HPLC-DAD/ESI-Msn analysis (Table 1)
UV-Vis and mass spectra obtained for the honey sample allowed the assignment and quantification of 17 compounds, which can be grouped into four groups: hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, abscisic acids

Summary

Introduction

Heather is the common designation of honeys obtained from plants that belongs to Ericaceae family. Hull (known as common heather) is the only species described for the genus Calluna in the Ericaceae family [1]. Honeybees essentially collecting pollen from Calluna flowers to produce this honey, being relatively rare and very appreciated in Portugal due to its sensorial properties and potential health benefits. Several ethnobotanical uses of this plant have been reported, such as disinfectant, antiseptic, astringent, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, sedative, antirheumatic, vasoconstrictor and used for treatment of gout [2,3]. Several works have been dedicated to identifying floral markers in heather honeys. Triterpenoids (free or aglycones of saponins) were described, with special importance for the high concentrations of oleanolic and ursolic acids, associated with their low toxicity and biological effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, among others [4,5]

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Results

Conclusion