Preliminary study on the authenticity of acacia, multifloral and linden honey from Cluj County.

Abstract

Honey samples from two different types of locations from Cluj county were subjected to this study: the beekeeping store APICO LA and the main free markets in the county. Seventeen honey samples representing three different types of Romanian honey: acacia, multifloral and linden honey for the main physical-chemical par ameters were analyzed. Water and hidroxy- methilfurfural (HMF) content, together with sugar s pectrum were analyzed into the APHIS Laboratory, USAMV Cluj. All determined parameters were situated within the limits established by Romanian and International Standards. For water content, the values were found between 16.0-19.9% for all honey types. HMF parameter was situated bet ween 1.49-29.4%, indicating freshness for some honey samples and some unsuitable storage conditions for other honey samples. The main sugars in honey are fructose and glucose. Their individual va lues as well as their sum or ratio, places all samp les in the characteristics of the respective honey type . Turanose, maltose, isomaltose and erlose are also present in different amounts in almost all honeys. The samples were authentic and having the declared botanical origin in terms of the physical-chemical analysis.