Abstract
Chemical profiling of northern Belgian polyfloral honeys was performed to analyse their phenolic compound content (flavonoids and phenolic acids). First, samples were subjected to a standard analysis of their physicochemical properties, and then, the phenolic fraction was isolated and analysed using a HPLC/PAD method. All of the tested honeys showed a common and specific phenolic profile that could be the basis for the differentiation of polyfloral honeys of the Antwerp region from other polyfloral honeys. Chromatographic data indicated a high content of ellagic acid (9.13–13.66 mg/100 g honey), as well as the flavonoid pinocembrin (1.60–1.85 mg/100 g honey) in these honeys. Ellagic acid, a compound with well-defined prohealth activities, might be used as a chemical marker for these honeys. With respect to total phenolic and flavonoid contents, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were determined spectrophotometrically. The honey exhibited a moderate antioxidant activity, typical for light honeys.
Highlights
Because of their health-promoting activities, polyphenolic compounds are always of interest among substances of natural origin
We focused on the determination of the chemical profiles, namely, the identification of phenolic acids and flavonoids, of Belgian polyfloral honeys from three apiaries located in the Antwerp province to determine the utility of this approach for the determination of the geographical origin of honey
Polyfloral honey samples from the Antwerp vicinity were studied to determine if their chemical profiling could be used for the identification of their geographical origin
Summary
Because of their health-promoting activities, polyphenolic compounds are always of interest among substances of natural origin. The biological activity of a variety of phenolic acids and flavonoids of plant origin has been described in some detail. Dietary studies have clearly shown a correlation between the content of phenolic compounds in plant foods and a decrease in the incidence of lifestyle diseases [6, 7]. From a wide variety of honeys, consumers frequently choose unifloral honeys because their specific medicinal properties are well defined. Polyphenolic compounds are present in honeys due to their direct transfer from the nectar of plants by bees. Most studies focusing on unifloral honey are devoted to the identification of individual markers of their botanical origin [9,10,11]
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