Organic Honeys Research Articles

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of Brazilian organic honey against oral microorganisms.

To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Brazilian honeys against oral microorganisms. Organic honeys (OH-1 to OH-8) were diluted (%-w/v) and sterilized by filtration. Antimicrobial activity was defined by determining MIC and CBM against oral Streptococcus. The component responsible for the antimicrobial action was defined by a catalase assay. Antibiofilm activity was evaluated against the monospecies biofilm of Streptococcus mutans(ATCC 700610). OHs showed antimicrobial activity principally OH-1, OH-2, OH-3, and OH-7 with MIC values ​​ranging between 10 and 25%. The mechanism of action occurs mainly by hydrogen peroxide produced by honey enzymes. OH-1, OH-2, and OH-7 showed total biofilm destruction at low concentrations. Brazilian honeys have promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity with the potential to control oral microbiota.

Organic Honey from the Middle Atlas of Morocco: Physicochemical Parameters, Antioxidant Properties, Pollen Spectra, and Sugar Profiles.

This work aimed to characterize and compare the physicochemical, ascorbic acid, phenolic, and flavonoid compounds, as well as the antioxidant properties, pollen spectra, and sugar profiles of twenty-three organic honeys produced in the Middle Atlas of Morocco. As results, the pollen analysis showed 22 taxa and revealed the dominance of Ziziphus lotus pollens for all monofloral honeys. The moisture content ranged from 15.9 to 19.0%, pH values werebetween 3.9 and 4.8, electrical conductivity varied from 100 to 581 µs/cm, ash content varied from 0.1 to 2.4%, and the invertase activity ranged from 3.5 to 36 U/kg. Moreover, hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF) varied from 1.2 to 13.5 mg/kg, which confirmed the freshness of our honey samples. For the sugar profiles, there were no significant differences between the examined groups of honeys (p > 0.05) for both fructose and glucose. Additionally, our study showed good antioxidant properties (total antioxidant activity ranged from 34.18 to 131.20 mg AAE/g; DPPH IC50 values ranged from 8.14 to 45.20 mg/mL; ABTS IC50 values ranged from 8.19 to 32.76 mg/mL) and high amounts of phenolic compounds ranging between 20.92 ± 0.03 and 155.89 ± 0.03 mg GAE/100 g, respectively; flavonoid compounds ranged from 5.52 to 20.69 mg QE/100 g, and ascorbic acid ranged from 8.01 to 23.26 mg/100 g. Overall, the proximate composition and the general characterization of organic monofloral and polyfloral honeys as sustainable and health-promising functional products may increase their commercial values, promote their marketability, and might have a significant impact on the basic circular/sustainable economy as a solid lever for solidarity economic development, especially in the rural/poor Moroccan communities. The investigated features may allow and support the incorporation of Moroccan organic honeys and their biovaluable ingredients in the nutraceutical and food industries for multiple purposes.

Antimicrobial activity of commercial organic honeys against clinical isolates of human pathogenic bacteria

Extracts of five organic and one conventional honey sources, available in Finnish markets, were tested for antimicrobial activity and inhibitory concentrations against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, obtained from human specimens. Five (honeys A, B, D, E, F) of the six studied honeys were organic. All the studied honeys had inhibitory activity (zone of inhibition (ZI) > 9.4 ± 0.5 mm) compared to control artificial honey (ZI < 8 mm) against all the studied pathogens. Four organic honeys (B, D, E, F) showed inhibitory activity with ZI > 13.3 mm against all the studied bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 12.5–50%. Against E. coli, the organic honeys E and F had activity index (AI) of 0.64 and 0.73, respectively, compared to the antibiotic AI of 1.0. Against S. Typhi, the organic honeys D and F had AI of 0.59 and 0.64, respectively. Against P. aeruginosa, the organic honeys D, E, and F had the highest AI of 0.71–0.80, and against S. epidermidis the honeys B, D, E, and F possessed relatively high AI of 0.60, 0.67, 0.73, and 0.78, respectively. Against K. pneumoniae and B. cereus, the detected AI of the organic honeys B, D, E, and F varied between AI of 0.48 and 0.58. The organic honey A and conventionally produced honey C possessed only minor activity with MIC values of 80%. Here, we show that commercially available culinary organic honeys possess remarkable antimicrobial activity against several important human bacterial pathogens.

Conventional and Organic Honeys as a Source of Water- and Ethanol-Soluble Molecules with Nutritional and Antioxidant Characteristics.

The benefits of natural honeybee products (e.g., honey, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, beevenom and pollen) to the immune system are remarkable, and many of them are involved in the induction of antibody production, maturation of immune cells and stimulation of the immune system. The type of plants in the geographical area, climatic conditions and production method have a significantly influence on the nutritional quality of honey. However, this variability can influence consumer liking by the sensory attributes of the product. The aim of this work was to compare the most popular honeys from Poland in terms of nutritional value, organoleptic properties and antioxidant activity. In the study, five varieties of honey (honeydew, forest, buckwheat, linden and dandelion) from conventional and organic production methods were tested. The nutritional characteristics of honey samples included acidity, content of water, sugars, vitamin C, HMF and phenolics (total and flavonoids), while honey color, taste, aroma and consistency were investigated in the organoleptic characteristics. The antioxidant activity was determined in water- and ethanol-soluble honey extracts using DPPH and ORAC tests. The results showed that organoleptic and nutritional characteristics of popular Polish honeys differ significantly in relation to plant source and production method. The significant effect of honey variety on the content of HMF, saccharose and phenolics, as well as acidity and antioxidant capacity were noted. The impact of variety and variety × production method interaction was significant in the case of the content of vitamin C, glucose and fructose. A visible difference of buckwheat and forest honeys from other samples was observed. The highest content of total phenolics with antioxidant activity based on the SET mechanism was found in buckwheat honeys, while forest honeys were richer in flavonoids.

Pesticides and Environmental Contaminants in Organic Honeys According to Their Different Productive Areas toward Food Safety Protection.

Monitoring contaminant residues in honey helps to avoid risks to human health, as it is a natural product widely consumed in all population groups, including the most vulnerable, such as children and the elderly. This is important for organic honey production that may be negatively influenced by geographical area pollution. Considering the importance of collecting data on the occurrence of various xenobiotics in different geographical areas, this study aimed to investigate the presence of contaminant residues (persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and pesticides, including glyphosate and metabolites) in organic honey samples from different production areas using different analytical methods, in order to confirm their incidence and possible impact on the food safety traits of organic production. Regarding POPs, traces of benzofluoroanthene and chrysene were detected in honey from intensive orchards and arable lands. Traces of all polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) congeners were detected at different percentages in almost all of the samples, regardless of the origin area. Traces of polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE 28, 33, and 47) were found in different percentages of samples from all of the geographical areas examined. Traces of organochlorines (OCs) and organophosphates (OPs) were identified in honey samples belonging to all of the geographical areas. No glyphosate, glufosinate, and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues were detected.

Physicochemical Characterization of Organic Honeys Harvested in the North West Algerian Area

Background: Consumers have become aware that the industrial methods of honey production have greatly affected the environment and product quality. Today, they want a reorientation of these production modes to obtain healthy and natural organic products. Objective: This study is conducted to evaluate, for the first time in Algeria, the physicochemical composition of organic honey’s harvest in the organic- North West Algerian area. Methods: Twenty-four samples of organic honey were harvested according to the organic beekeeping rules, by selected volunteer beekeepers in organic regions and hives, and then, they were extracted by the traditional method. Physicochemical parameters, such as pH, free acidity, density, electrical conductivity, diastase activity, carbohydrates, hydroxyl methyl furfural (HMF), water content, ash, color intensity and specific optical rotation were evaluated. Results: Mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: pH as 3-4.8, electrical conductivity as 0.123-1.180 mS/cm, free acid as 8-30 mEq/kg, diastase activity as 8.02-40.54 (Shade units), carbohydrates as 60.21-77.07%, sucrose as 1.04-8.97%, HMF quality as 4.67-27.63 mg/kg, water content as 14.2-19.0%, ash as 0.09-0.86%, color intensity ABS450 as 288-1467 mAU, color intensity (Pfund scale) as 0.30-137.34 mm and specific optical rotation at (-16.1)-(-3.8). The analysis indicated that organic honey samples grown in selected sites of our local area are of good quality. All of the obtained values were within the limits imposed by the present legislation (Codex Alimentarius). Conclusion: Analyzed honey samples are characterized as biological products of excellent quality with interesting nutritional properties.

Difference in pesticides, trace metal(loid)s and drug residues between certified organic and conventional honeys from Croatia

Quality and safety of food, including honey, is one of the leading priorities regarding residues of anthropogenic chemicals with proven adverse health effects. In total, 61 honey samples of known botanical origin were collected in period 2018–2019 from Croatian registered organic and conventional beekeepers (N = 16 organic and N = 45 conventional honey samples). Eleven trace metal(loid)s (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn; quantitated by ICP-MS), 24 antibiotics (LC-MS/MS, ELISA, microbiological inhibition test), six indicator PCBs (GC-MS/MS) and 121 pesticides (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS) originating from environment and/or beekeeping practice were measured to assess possible differences in contaminant residues between organic and conventional honeys. All honey samples had contaminant residues below the legal maximum levels and are considered safe for consumers. However, 2/16 organic and 34/45 conventional honeys contained one or two synthetic acaricides (most frequently coumaphos), while other pesticides, antibiotics and PCBs were not quantified. Also, organic honey contained lower levels of coumaphos, amitraz and amitraz metabolite N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl) formamide than conventional honeys, on average. Higher levels of Cr (p = 0.006) were detected in organic compared to conventional chestnut honeys. This study pinpointed beehive disease control treatment as prominent pesticide residue source, which was to some extent reduced in organic honeys. Quantified pesticide and metal(loid) levels were within range or lower than reported in recent literature regarding honey of the same botanical origin.

AMDIS-Metab R data manipulation for the geographical and floral differentiation of selected honeys from Zambia and Botswana based on volatile chemical compositions using SPME–GC–MS

A metabolomic classification of commercial and unprocessed organic honeys from Zambia and Botswana based on geographic and floral origins was done forthwith. Classification using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry/solid phase microextraction (GC–MS/SPME) was accomplished on three commercial and three unprocessed organic honeys. The Automated Mass spectral Deconvolution and Identification System (AMDIS), Metab R, an R platform application and MINITAB version 14 partial least squares (PLS) were used for data processing. Sixteen volatile metabolites in three commercial and 40 in three unprocessed organic honeys were identified, confirmed and formed the basis for differentiation. Database search showed that the honeys were polyfloral with major ingredients coming from common flowering plants, conifers and other gymnosperms such as Carica papaya L. (papaya), Monstera deliciosa (ceriman) and fruits, i.e., guava, melon and pineapple, endemic in the areas from which the honeys originated from.

Polyphenols in Brazilian organic honey and their scavenging capacity against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species

Honey is an easily accessible honey bee product, increasingly popular due to its biological activities and beneficial effects on human health. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of samples of organic blossom honey and honeydew honey from southern Brazil exported to consumers worldwide to deactivate reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS), as well as to characterize their phenolic profile and the content of vitamin C. All the honey extracts analyzed displayed high content of phenolic compounds (49.79–117.68 mg gallic acid equivalents/g honey polyphenol extract) and high capacity to deactivate peroxyl radical (ROO•), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and nitric oxide (NO•). Honeydew honeys exhibited up to 6 mg ascorbic acid per 100 g. Based on the phenolic profile as well as on ROS and RNS scavenging, all the organic honeys analyzed were grouped using multivariate analysis. Therefore, the analyzed eight organic honeys produced in southern Brazil can be considered as good sources of bioactive phenolic compounds.

Distribution of POPs, pesticides and antibiotic residues in organic honeys from different production areas

ABSTRACTDemand for honey is increasing, especially if it is organic and if its nutritional properties are linked to untreated environments in order to guarantee quality for health. Sources of contamination of honey can be divided into environmental and apicultural. Therefore, the distribution of persistent organic pollutants, pesticides and antibiotic residues from geographical areas with different contamination sources (high anthropic impact, intensive farming, husbandry and low anthropic impact) was investigated in order to confirm the potential transfer of xenobiotics into the supply chain and to give beekeepers tools for the selection of areas dedicated to organic production. The presence of polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ether and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was confirmed, not only in proximity to highly urbanised centres, where the concentrations were higher, but in all environment contexts, confirming their ubiquity. No antibiotics or neonicotinoids were detected in 95 organic honeys, demonstrating the absence of apicultural treatments and consequently the good quality of honey of different areas. These results are important due to the undefined regulatory European situation on honey antibiotic limits.

The occurrence of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants in Italian organic honeys from different productive areas in relation to potential environmental pollution

Bee products, such as honey, are widely consumed as food and consumer interest is currently oriented towards organic foods. Regarding this, the European Commission establishes that the qualification of organic honey and other beekeeping products as being from organic production is closely bound with the characteristics of hive treatments as well as the quality of the environment. Agricultural contamination with pesticides is a challenging problem that needs to be fully addressed, in particular in the field of organic production systems. In this study, the occurrence of different classes of contaminants selected as representative of potential contamination sources were investigated in 59 organic honeys: organochlorines, OCs; organophosphates, OPs; polychlorobiphenyls, PCBs and polybromodiphenylethers, PBDEs. A method based on Accelerated Solvent Extraction with “in line” clean-up and GC-MS/MS detection was developed to detect contaminants. Residues of many pesticides were found in most of the samples investigated. The majority of honey samples contained at least one of the pesticides, even if their concentrations were found to be lower than its MRL. Diazinon, Mevinphos, Coumaphos, Chlorpyrifos and Quinoxyfen were the residues frequently detected in samples coming from the apple and citrus orchard areas. Furthermore, the results of the present study show that the presence of the residue in organic honey may also be affected by the geographical area (e.g. the presence of an agricultural system) confirming honey bee and beehive matrices as appropriate sentinels for monitoring contamination in the environment. The optimised method proved to be simple and rapid, requiring small sample sizes and minimising solvent consumption, due to the ASE having an “in line” clean-up step.

Antimicrobial activity of organic honeys against food pathogenic bacterium Clostridium perfringens

Against Clostridium perfringens, a common cause of food poisoning, antimicrobial activity and methyglyoxal (MGO) contents of six multifloral organic honeys were investigated, five from Finland and one from Argentinian and Hungarian origin. For the antimicrobial assessment, a disc diffusion method was used with zone of inhibition expressed as a diameter. Four honeys had inhibitory activity (diameter >8 mm) compared to control (diameter of 6.1 mm ± 1.5) at the concentration of 50 % (w/v). The highest activity was induced by North Carelien multifloral honey F with willow herb as the main floral source (diameter of 14.3 mm ± 0.6), followed by other North Carelien multifloral honey E (diameter of 11.0 mm ± 2) with clover as the main floral source. For honey F, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 20 % (w/v). MGO was quantified by HPLC and varied from 22 to 27 mg/kg. MGO had no correlation to the detected activity. This is a novel finding on the antibacterial activity of native organic honeys and against C. perfringens.