Acacia Honey Research Articles

Effects of Gelam and Acacia honey acute administration on some biochemical parameters of Sprague Dawley rats.

BackgroundSince ancient times, honey has been used for medicinal purposes in many cultures; it is one of the oldest and most enduring substances used in wound management. Scientific evidence for its efficacy is widely studied, but systemic safety studies are still lacking. It is essential to study the impact of consumption of honey on the health and proper development of the consumer. Therefore, the present study was designed to observe the effects of acute administration (14 days) of Gelam honey (GH), a wild harvesting honey and Acacia honey (AH), a beekeeping honey, on male and female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.MethodsAn acute oral study was performed following OECD test guideline 423, with minor modifications. In the study, GH, AH and sucrose (S) were administered at 2000 mg/kg body weight. Animals were observed for the next 14 days. Gross pathology was performed at the end of the study. Animals were observed for mortality, morbidity, body weight changes, feed and water intake. Clinical biochemistry, gross pathology, relative organ weight and histopathological examination were performed.ResultsRats fed with honey did not exhibit any abnormal signs or deaths. Results showed a decrease in weight gain and energy efficiency, but significantly increased in total food intake and total calories in female rats fed with GH, compared to control (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, a significant increase in body weight was observed in male rats in all honey-treated groups. Male rats fed with AH significantly decreased in total food intake, total calories and energy efficiency. Both male and female rats fed with GH displayed a significant decrease in triglycerides compared to control group. Hepatic and renal function levels were within acceptable range. The gross necropsy analysis did not reveal changes in any of the organs examined.ConclusionsOur results suggest that acute consumption of GH and AH at 2000 mg/kg body weight of male and female SD rats has some discrepancy effects on biochemical parameters but in line with OECD regulation. Gelam honey may have potential in controlling weight gain and triglyceride levels in female rats compared to Acacia honey. SD rats have some effect on biochemical parameters, an exploration of which would make for intriguing analysis.

Evaluation of Several Romanian Honeys Based on their Palynological and Biochemical Profiles

In this work, different types of honey were characterized based on their palynological and biochemical characteristics. A mellisopalynological analysis was performed to authenticate the botanical origin of the honey samples. According to this method, the honey types were classified in: acacia (n = 10), linden (n = 10), and rape (n = 10). This article also reports the phenols content, the flavonoids content, and the antioxidant activity of honey samples. The highest level of antioxidant activity was recorded for linden honeys and the lowest for acacia honeys. The multivariate analysis demonstrated to be an important tool in classification and discrimination between different honeys concerning the palynological and biochemical properties.

A low-frequency sensor for determination of honey electrical properties in varying temperature conditions

The aim of the research was to test a prototype sensor used to determine the electrical properties of acacia honey. The sensor, placed inside a measurement cell, was connected to a precise LCR meter, which collected the impedance readings in the frequency range from 20Hz to 2MHz. The measurement results were analyzed using the electrical equivalent circuit (EEC) approach. The values of parameters describing impedances of four EEC elements, which were a capacitor, a constant phase element and two resistors, obtained at various temperatures from −10°C to 35°C during honey heating and cooling processes, were presented, as well as dielectric permittivity spectra of honey. The paper discusses the temperature dependence of the EEC electrical parameters and the functionality of the sensor.

Identification of Acacia Honey Adulteration with Rape Honey Using Liquid Chromatography–Electrochemical Detection and Chemometrics

The adulteration of honey is generally a concern of consumers and management departments of safety and quality. Adding low-price honey to high-price honey is often seen in the market. In this study, a reliable and simple method of liquid chromatography–electrochemical detection (LC-ECD) was presented to detect the adulteration of acacia honey which was added with rape honey at different levels (5–50 %, w/w). Chromatographic separation was carried out with a reversed phase column, and the mobile phase was methanol/2 % (v/v) aqueous acetic acid. Fingerprints of authentic honeys showed that the contents of chlorogenic acid were higher in acacia honey (1.738 mg kg−1), while those of ellagic acid were much lower (0.274 mg kg−1) in rape honey, so the chlorogenic acid and ellagic acid could be considered as possible markers of acacia and rape honeys, respectively. Samples were classified by cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) according to the contents of phenolic acids. The results of PCA showed that chlorogenic acid and ellagic acid were the major variables, and no adulterated sample was identified as authentic honey. The results of cluster analysis (CA) indicated that the samples were appropriately divided into three main clusters, and adulterated samples were identified. Therefore, acacia honey adulteration with rape honey could be undoubtedly detected by LC-ECD combined with chemometric methods down to the level of 5 %.

Chemometrics as a Tool of Origin Determination of Polish Monofloral and Multifloral Honeys

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of chemometrics studies to determine the botanical origin of Polish monofloral honeys using NMR spectroscopy. Aqueous extracts of six kinds of honeys, namely, heather (Calluna vulgaris L.), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L), lime (Tilia L), rape (Brassica napus L. var. napus), acacia (Acacia Mill.), and multifloral ones, were analyzed. Multivariate chemometric data analysis was performed using principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Chemometric analysis supported by pollen analysis revealed the incorrect classification of acacia honeys by the producers. Characteristic motives for each honey were identified, which allowed chemical profiles of tested honeys to be built. Thus, phenylacetic acid and dehydrovomifoliol (4-hydroxy-4-[3-oxo-1-butenyl]-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one) were proposed to be markers of Polish heather honey. Formic acid and tyrosine were found to be the most characteristic compounds of buckwheat honey, whereas 4-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dienecarboxylic acid was confirmed as a marker of lime honey.

Chemometric Determination of the Botanical Origin for Chinese Honeys on the Basis of Mineral Elements Determined by ICP-MS

In this work, the potential of mineral elements and chemometric methods as a tool to classify Chinese honeys according to their botanical origin was examined. Twelve mineral elements (Na(23), Mg(24), P(31), K(39), Ca(43), Mn(55), Fe(56), Cu(63), Zn(66), Rb(85), Sr(88), and Ba(137)) of 163 Chinese honey samples, including linden, vitex, rape, and acacia, collected from Heilongjiang, Beijing, Hebei, and Shaanxi, China, in 2013 were determined by the ICP-MS method. Principal component analysis (PCA) reduced 10 variables to four principal components and could explain 93.06% of the total variance. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) were explored to construct a classification model. By PLS-DA, the total correct classification rates for model training and cross-validation were 90.9 and 88.4%, respectively. By BP-ANN, the total correct classification rates for model training and cross-validation were 100 and 92.6%, respectively. The performance of BP-ANN was better than that of PLS-DA. The validation of the developed BP-ANN model was tested by the independent test set of 42 honey samples. Linden, vitex, and rape honey samples were predicted with an accuracy of 100%, whereas one acacia honey was predicted as rape honey with an accuracy of 92.3%. It is concluded that the profiles of mineral elements by ICP-MS with chemometric methods could be a potential and powerful tool for the classification of Chinese honey samples from different botanical origins.

The determination of botanical origin of honeys based on enantiomer distribution of chiral volatile organic compounds

The enantiomer ratios of chiral volatile organic compounds in rapeseed, chestnut, orange, acacia, sunflower and linden honeys were determined by multi-dimensional gas chromatography using solid phase microextraction (SPME) as a sample pre-treatment procedure. Linalool oxides, linalool and hotrienol were present at the highest concentration levels, while significantly lower amounts of α-terpineol, 4-terpineol and all isomers of lilac aldehydes were found in all studied samples. On the other hand, enantiomer distribution of some chiral organic compounds in honey depends on their botanical origin. The significant differences in enantiomer ratio of linalool were observed for rapeseed honey that allows us to distinguish this type of honey from the other ones. The enantiomer ratios of lilac aldehydes were useful for distinguishing of orange and acacia honey from other studied monofloral honeys. Similarly, different enantiomer ratio of 4-terpineol was found for sunflower honeys.

Effects of Botanical Origin and Ageing on HMF Content in Bee Honey

Aims: HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) is considered an important quality parameter for honey. Elevated concentrations of HMF in honey provide an indication of origin, storage in poor conditions or age of honey. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of aging and botanical origin of honey on the HMF content in it, as well as to analyze the relationship between the content of HMF and fructose/glucose ratio. Study Design: In this paper, the HMF levels in different botanical origins of sixty bee honeys from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Acacia: Robinia pseudoacacia, meadow, chestnut: varii, mountain) were analysed; the influence of ageing on HMF formation was also investigated. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, University in Tuzla, between January 2011 and Mart 2011. Methodology: Determination of HMF content was done by spectrophotometric White method. Content analysis of fructose and glucose in honey samples was performed using the HPLC. Results: Concentration of HMF in analyzed honey samples ranged from 0.28 mg/kg to 207.45 mg/kg. The HMF formation was correlated with botanical origin, age of honey and fructose/glucose ratio. Samples of 4 year old honey contains on average 52.44% higher Original Research Article Kesic et al.; JSRR, Article no. JSRR.2014.004 1058 HMF than fresh honey samples. These results clearly show that longer storage of honey increases the concentration of HMF. In addition, honey exposure to high temperatures affects content of HMF, which catalyzes the dehydration of fructose to form new quantities of HMF. The formation of HMF and its concentration in honey also depends on the botanical origin of honey. Samples of acacia honey showed the highest average content of HMF. The data obtained were statistically elaborated. Conclusion: Botanical origin, high temperature and storage significantly affect the content of HMF in honey. There is a negative correlation between the F/G ratio and HMF content in analyzed honey samples.

Proliferative Capacity of in Vitro Corneal Epithelium: Role of Acacia Honey in the Initial Step of Wound Healing

Proliferation of corneal epithelial cells (CEC) isvital in the initial stage of wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the proliferative capacity of Acacia Honey (AH) on rabbit CEC via assessment on morphology, proliferation, cell cycle, gene and protein expressions.The optimal dose of AH in basal medium (BM) and complete cornea medium (CCM) was identified via MTT assay. CEC cultured in both media supplemented with 0.025% AH showed optimal proliferative capacity compared to the control. There were no abnormal changes in morphology and cell cycle analysis. Gene and protein expression of CK3 was increased in the CEC cultured with 0.025% AH in both media. CEC cultured in media supplemented with 0.025% AH promotes proliferation while retaining its normal morphology, cell cycle, gene and protein expressions. These promising results serve as an impetus in realizing the proliferative potential of AH in promoting the initial step of corneal wound healing. 

Antibacterial activity of different natural honeys from Transylvania, Romania

Honey is used in food industry and medicine due to its nutritive, therapeutic and dietetic qualities. The microbiological characteristics of 10 unpasteurized honey samples of known origin, collected from Transylvania beekeepers (Romania) were determined. The antibacterial activity of these types of honey against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella anatum, Salmonella choleraesuis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii and Listeria monocytogenes strains was studied. The most sensitive to the antibacterial activity were the two staphylococus strains (the largest diameter of inhibition zone was 18 mm) and B. subtilis strains (13.5 mm). The strains of B. cereus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were found to present resistance to some of the honey samples. Manna, sunflower and polyfloral honeys presented high antibacterial activity while acacia and linden honeys had a lower activityin terms of the number of sensible strains. Statistical analysis shows that the type of strains and the type of honey have influence on the diameter of inhibition.

Effect of country origin on physicochemical, sugar and volatile composition of acacia, sunflower and tilia honeys

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of country (Spain, Romania, and Czech Republic) and botanical origin, on the physicochemical (HMF, diastase activity, moisture content, electrical conductivity), color (Pfund scale and CIEL*a*b*), principal sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and volatile composition of acacia, sunflower and tilia honeys. PCA analyses considering these variables showed that honey type had a far greater influence on the differentiation of samples (above all due to the presence of certain volatile compounds such as carvacrol and α-terpinene for tilia honey; α-pinene and 3-methyl-2-butanol for sunflower honey, and cis-linalool oxide for acacia honey) than geographical origin. Discriminant models obtained for each kind of botanical honey (classified 100% for acacia and tilia honeys and 93.8% for sunflower of the cross-validated cases) confirmed that differentiation of honeys according to their country was mainly based on volatile compounds (for instance: 2-methyl-2-butenal and 2-methyl-2-propanol, for acacia honeys; 1-hexanol and α-pinene, for sunflower honeys and 3-methyl-1-butanol and otrienol, for tilia honey) and to a lesser extent on certain physicochemical parameters such as diastase, sucrose and conductivity, respectively. Correct classification of all samples was achieved with the exception of 10% of the sunflower honeys from the Czech Republic. The results suggest that the presented models are potentially useful tools for the classification of acacia, sunflower and tilia honeys according to the country of origin.

Factors influencing consumer behavior relating to the purchase of honey part 2. Product quality and packaging

Abstract Research surveys were conducted from August through December 2011 and March through July 2012, in the regions of Lower Silesia, Opole, Silesia, and Wielkopolska, Poland. Respondents were chosen randomly and a sample of 540 respondents were surveyed. The first aim of this study was to investigate the quality and aesthetic factors expected of honey and its packaging in order to establish their influence on decisions related to the purchase of honey. The second aim was to determine the importance of the aesthetic factors of honey and its packaging in the process of influencing consumer behavior related to the purchase of honey. As many as 78% of respondents said that the honey from a beekeeper was better than that offered in the stores. A large number of respondents, 88.3%, choose honey produced domestically. However, our study showed that for 43.4% of the respondents, packaging and visual features did not affect the purchase of the product. Only for 23% of respondents, the origin of the honey and quality which was guaranteed with certificates were the most important factors taken into account when deciding on the place or form of a honey purchase. The varieties of honey most often indicated by the respondents were: multifloral honey 46.9%, linden honey 42.5%, rapeseed honey 16.2%, and acacia honey 12.8%. The selection of honey varieties was primarily determined by psychological factors, social factors, and only later by convenience of consumption or financial situation.

Two-Year Variations of Phenolics, Flavonoids and Antioxidant Contents in Acacia Honey

Honey is a good source of several important chemical compounds and antioxidants and is harvested throughout the year. However, no study has determined how their contents change over the years. The aim of the present research was to investigate the changes in the phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant properties, as well as other physicochemical properties, of Malaysian acacia honey collected during different months during a two year period. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods were used to determine the total antioxidant activity of the honey samples. Generally, honey samples collected in the beginning and the middle of the year tended to have higher sugar content, which may be attributed to its high acidic nature and low moisture content. There was a gradual increase in the phenolic content of the acacia honey samples collected between September 2010 and December 2010. The honey sample collected at the beginning of the year (January) showed the highest color intensity and was dark amber in color. It also contained the highest concentration of phenolic compounds (341.67 ± 2.94 mggallic acid/kg), the highest flavonoid content (113.06 ± 6.18 mgcatechin/kg) andthe highest percentage of DPPH inhibition and the highest FRAP value, confirming its high antioxidant potential. There was a positive correlation between DPPH and total phenolic content, suggesting that phenolic compounds are the strongest contributing factor to the radical scavenging activity of Malaysian acacia honeys. Overall, our results indicated that there were significant seasonal variations in the antioxidant potentials of honey over the two year period and the time of honey collection affects its physicochemical properties. Therefore, acacia honey from Malaysia should ideally be collected during the dry season, particularly in the months of January, May and June.

The Antioxidant Activity of Acacia and Lime Romanian Honeys

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Two types of h oney, acacia and lime honey, collected in the south-eastern region of Romania , were investigated for their total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, free radicals scavenging activity and reducing power activity. Acacia honey sample presented the highest amount of total phenolic compounds when compared to lime honey, which possessed good radicals scavenging activity and the highest amount of total flavonoids. The results suggest a relationship between honey total polyphenols and free radicals scavenging activity determinated by chemiluminescent assay. Moreover, the concentration of honey phenolics and flavonoids seemed to correlate with honey reducing power activity.

Changes of antioxidant activity in honey after heat treatment

We determined how the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of honey changed after being subjected to a high temperature. Antioxidant activity was determined using two methods &amp;ndash; FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays. Total phenolic content was determined by modified Folin-Ciocalteu method. The research was conducted on 31 samples of acacia honey and 8 samples of chestnut honey. All measurements were done at two temperatures &amp;ndash; at 23&amp;deg;C (room temperature) and after 5 min of heating at 95&amp;deg;C. The obtained results show uneven changes of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content among individual samples, i.e. in some samples antioxidant activity decreased after heating, while in others it increased. The same applies to the total phenolic content. Statistical analysis of the results (t-test) showed no statistically significant differences between the results measured at two different temperatures (P &amp;gt; 0.05) in all three methods used, and in both types of honey. The only statistically significant difference (P &amp;lt; 0.05) was observed when using DPPH method in acacia honey.

Contribution of botanical origin and sugar composition of honeys on the crystallization phenomenon

The present work provides information regarding the statistical relationships among the palynological characteristics, sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, melezitose and maltose), moisture content and sugar ratios (F+G, F/G and G/W) of 136 different honey types (including bramble, chestnut, eucalyptus, heather, acacia, lime, rape, sunflower and honeydew). Results of the statistical analyses (multiple comparison Bonferroni test, Spearman rank correlations and principal components) revealed the valuable significance of the botanical origin on the sugar ratios (F+G, F/G and G/W). Brassica napus and Helianthus annuus pollen were the variables situated near F+G and G/W ratio, while Castanea sativa, Rubus and Eucalyptus pollen were located further away, as shown in the principal component analysis. The F/G ratio of sunflower, rape and lime honeys were lower than those found for the chestnut, eucalyptus, heather, acacia and honeydew honeys (>1.4). A lower value F/G ratio and lower water content were related with a faster crystallization in the honey.

Nutritive composition and free radical scavenger activity of honey enriched with of Rosa spp.

Scavenger activities, total phenolics, lipid peroxidation, vitamin C content and color intensity of raw acacia honey sample and two acacia samples enriched with 5 g/100 g and 10 g/100 g of Rosa spp. fruit from Vojvodina, were evaluated. Acacia raw honey had lowest scavenger activity and also lowest total phenolics, vitamin C content and color intensity, but highest lipid peroxidation. Significantly higher scavenger activities, total phenolics and vitamin C content were observed in both samples enriched with Rosa spp. Lipid peroxidation was significantly lower in both enriched samples. The highest scavenger activity (DPPH – RSC, and OH-ARP), total phenolics, vitamin C and color intensity were observed in sample enriched with 10 g/100 g Rosa spp. fruit. At the same time lipid peroxidation was lowest (123.94 nmol/MDA mg protein) in sample with 10 g/100 g of Rosa spp. fruit. Honey sample with 10 g/100 g of Rosa spp. fruit had high scavenger activity, was rich in antioxidants, and its inclusion in the diet may be recommended to complement other phenolics and vitamin C sources. The antioxidant activity appeared to be a result of the combined activity of a range of compounds including phenolics and other minor components.

Suitability of three-dimensional synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy for fingerprint analysis of honey samples with reference to their phenolic profiles

The suitability of a right-angle geometry three-dimensional synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (3D-SFS) for the differentiation and classification of different honey types, including acacia, buckwheat, heather, linden, multiflower and rape honeys, was evaluated with reference to their phenolic profiles. The fraction of phenolic compounds was initially isolated and pre-concentrated from analyzed samples by means of polymeric reversed phase Strata X solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. A thoughtful analysis of 3D-SF spectra of resulting methanolic extracts of honey samples containing the separated fraction of phenolics and standards of phenolic acids and flavonoids revealed that the proposed methodology based on SPE and 3D-SFS is capable of discriminating honey samples due to different floral sources in a fast and straightforward way.

Perceptions and trends related to the consumption of honey: A case study of North‐West Romania

AbstractThe present research investigated tendencies related to the purchasing and consumption of honey and to how it is perceived by consumers. Although Romania is a traditional honey‐producing area, paradoxically, there is not a culture of consumption for this product, honey consumption being lower than in other European countries. The research objectives were achieved by investigating a representative sample of subjects from the North‐West region of Romania. The research instrument used was a questionnaire, which included questions about honey consumption, questions related to perceptions of honey, together with socio‐demographic questions. Honey is perceived to be a delicious product, delightful to consume and is considered beneficial for health by most of the respondents. A number of factors (education, occupation and age) significantly influence the perception that the respondent had of the value of honey. The most popular types of honey were acacia honey, polyfloral honey and linden honey. Respondents preferred to buy honey from a local producer, and had more confidence in domestic honey than in imported honey. Although the frequency of consumption is quite high, the quantity consumed per capita is low (on average 3 kg/year). Local honey producers should be aware that the revival of the beekeeping sector in Romania could be promoted by stimulating domestic consumption. Educating consumers to adopt a healthy lifestyle could significantly contribute to an increase in honey consumption. The paper emphasizes the need to conduct research that provides useful information about the quantitative and quality indicators of honey consumption, in order to improve marketing strategies.

Study on LOD of Chinese Honey Adulterated with HFCS by HPAEC-PAD

In consideration of the adulterated situation and characteristics of Chinese honey market, high performance anion exchange chromatography-pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) used for detection of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in adulterated honey were further studied in this paper, Isocratic elution with optimize chromatographic conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) of HFCS in adulterated acacia honey, linden honey, date honey and citrus honey can reached 1% respectively, while performed good reproducibility and high stability. This method was simple, effective, high sensitivity, and can be widely applied to the detection of honey with HFCS.