Physicochemical attributes and pollen spectrum of some unifloral Spanish honeys

Abstract

In the present work a total of 19 unifloral Spanish honeys were studied and botanically typified: willow ( Salix sp.), sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), chickweed ( Hypecoum sp.), crucifer ( Brassica type), fruiter ( Prunus sp.), thyme ( Thymus sp.), blueweed ( Echium sp.), spike lavender ( Lavandula latifolia Med.), French lavender ( Lavandula stoechas L.), and vetch ( Vicia sativa L.). Unifloral honeys were considered as such whenever the dominant pollen was found at over 45% of total pollen, except for lavender and thyme types of honey where a finding above 15% of Lavandula or Thymus pollen, respectively, was enough to typify them. All samples were organoleptically examined and the following determinations were carried out: moisture, optical rotation, electrical conductivity, ash, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, pH, acidity (free, lactone, and total) and carbohydrate composition. These samples were found to meet all major national and international honey specifications.