Pollen, Physicochemical, and Mineral Analysis of Croatian Acacia Honey Samples: Applicability for Identification of Botanical and Geographical Origin

Natalija Uršulin-Trstenjak,Marina Vidosavljević,Domagoj Vidosavljević,Eda Puntarić,Vlatka Gvozdić,Ada Puntarić,Dinko Puntarić,Ida Puntarić,Dario Lasić,Željka Pavlek,Davor Levanić

doi:10.1155/2017/8538693

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate health safety and quality of the Croatian acacia honey, the selected elements in the soil, and whether multivariate methods can provide identification of the origin of honey. The study included 200 acacia honey samples and 100 soil samples from East, Northwest Croatia, and Istria. The proportion of acacia in honey was determined by conducting pollen analysis. Water, free acids, electric conductivity, reducing sugars, saccharose, diastase, and HMF were determined. No significant differences were found using Kruskal-Wallis test regarding the physicochemical parameters (p=0.9190), the mineral content of honey (p=0.8955), or the mineral composition of the soil (p=0.8789). No significant correlation was found between the analyzed elements in honey and soil. Multivariate methods indicated that East Croatia honey samples have higher concentrations of water, HMF, and higher concentrations of measured elements, except for Al. Honey samples from Northwest Croatia are characterized by low concentrations of elements and a higher concentration of saccharose. The Istria samples are richer in reducing sugars, free acids, diastase, higher conductivity, higher content of the acacia pollen grains, and lower concentrations of most metals. Honey from Northwest Croatia and Istria shares the high concentration of Al in honey.

Highlights

IntroductionThe composition of honey depends on the plant species, climate conditions, environmental conditions, and beekeeping practice
Honey has been used for centuries as a natural food [1]
Unifloral honey can be labeled based on a particular plant type if it contains at least 45% of the pollen grains of the same plant species, with some exceptions; for acacia honey the amount is 20% (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) [18, 19]

Summary

Introduction

The composition of honey depends on the plant species, climate conditions, environmental conditions, and beekeeping practice. It consists of carbohydrates, water, protein, free amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and another 200 or so compounds [2]. Permitted value of free acids in honey is

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Conclusion