Chemical profile οf Greek Arbutus unedo honey: biological properties

Abstract

Nowadays there is an increasing interest in the use of honey in the traditional Mediterranean diet, due to its high quality of sugar content as well as its strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Thus, the detailed knowledge of the chemical composition and bioactivities of honey is of great importance. In this study, the chemical characterization and the authentication of the aromatic profile, the total phenolic content, the antimicrobial evaluation, and the pollinic spectrum of Greek strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey were studied. Typification of Arbutus honey sample was based on its pollinic spectrum exerted an approx. 23% on Ericaceae pollen (expressed to Arbutus unedo pollen). The studied sample was analysed through GC-MS and among the volatile substances: benzene derivatives (dimethyl, trimethyl, and tetramethyl), β-isophorone, α-isophorone, 4-oxoisophorone, dihydrooxophorone, and 2-Hydroxy-4-oxoisophorone were detected, together with homogentistic acid (HGA) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), known as an essential parameter of freshness and of good quality of commercial honeys. The chemical markers of such European honeys, unedone and 2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid (c-t-ABA), have been isolated and structurally determined by spectral means. Furthermore, the sample exhibited a high total phenolic content and an interesting antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic microorganisms, suggesting that the consumption of Greek strawberry tree honey could have beneficial effects.