Sunflower Honey Research Articles

Detecting Honey Adulteration: Advanced Approach Using UF-GC Coupled with Machine Learning

This article introduces a novel approach to detecting honey adulteration by combining ultra-fast gas chromatography (UF-GC) with advanced machine learning techniques. Machine learning models, particularly support vector regression (SVR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), were applied to predict adulteration in orange blossom (OB) and sunflower (SF) honeys. The SVR model achieved R2 values above 0.90 for combined honey types. Treating OB and SF honeys separately resulted in a significant accuracy improvement, with R2 values exceeding 0.99. LASSO proved especially effective when honey types were treated individually. The integration of UF-GC with machine learning not only provides a reliable method for detecting honey adulteration, but also sets a precedent for future research in the application of this technique to other food products, potentially enhancing food authenticity across the industry.

Changes in the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Linden, Buckwheat and Sunflower Honey Stored at Low Temperatures

Natural bee honey can change its physicochemical and biological properties during storage. Literature data on long-term storage of honey at low temperatures (from 0 to -20 °C) indicate that this ensures the stability of some physicochemical parameters. Despite the potential benefits of these temperature regimes for practical use, it is important to consider their potential negative effects on honey quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various temperature conditions on the physicochemical and biochemical parameters of linden, buckwheat, and sunflower honeys during storage for 12 months. For the first time, a wide range of physicochemical parameters of honey samples was analyzed before and during storage for 12 months at temperatures of 18, 10, 5, 0, -5, -10 and -18 (±2) °C. The evaluation of the physicochemical parameters before storage demonstrated that the samples fully complied with the Interstate Standards. Throughout the storage period, the HMF level remained stable at -18 °C, whereas it significantly increased at higher temperatures; for example, after 12 months at 18 °C, the increase ranged from 472.5% to 488.1%, depending on the botanical origin of the honey. However, maximum permissible concentration – MPC (25 mg/kg) was not exceeded. A decrease in the activity of diastase, D-glucose-1-oxidase and catalase was observed at all temperature conditions already during the first month of storage. Minimal changes were observed at 0 and 5 °C. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) remained stable in this temperature range. Moisture content, total mass fraction of reducing sugars, and acidity did not change significantly in all samples. An antimicrobial study using test cultures found that honey stored at 5 and 0 °C had the greatest inhibitory effect. The data obtained demonstrates that the optimal temperature range for 12-month storage of honey is between 5 and 0 °C. These findings can be used as supplementary guidance when making amendments to regulatory documents governing storage requirements for this product.

Изменение химического состава и антимикробной активности меда, хранящегося при низких температурах

Natural honey can change its physicochemical and biological properties during storage. According to State Standard 19792-2017, honey should be stored at ≤ 20°C. Some publications promote long-term storage of honey at temperatures between 0 and –20°C that preserves its physicochemical parameters, especially the content of hydroxymethylfurfural. Promising as they seem, such temperature modes may affect other physicochemical parameters of honey. The research objective was to study the effect of different temperature conditions on various honey samples and their physicochemical and biological parameters during long-term storage. The study applied standard and authentic research methods to fresh linden, buckwheat, and sunflower honey samples obtained from Rostov, Volgograd, Kursk, Voronezh, Saratov, and Krasnodar regions. They were stored in heat, cold, and moisture test chambers M-60/100-500 for 12 months. Hydroxymethylfurfural proved stable at –18°C for 12 months. After 12 months at 18°C, it showed a sharp increase of 472.5–488.1%. The activity of enzymic diastase, D-glucose-1-oxidase, and catalase occurred at all temperature modes after 1 month of storage. At 0–5°C, the changes were minimal: hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) remained stable, and its concentration decreased by ≤ 12.2% after 12 months of storage. Moisture, mass fraction of reducing sugars, and acidity remained stable in all samples. An antimicrobial test by Escherichia coli (strain 1257), Staphylococcus aureus (strain 209-P), and Bacillus cereus (strain 96) showed that the best inhibiting properties belonged to the samples of linden and buckwheat honey stored at 5 and 0°C for 12 months. The optimal temperatures for long-term honey storage were in the range between 5 and 0°C. The results obtained can be used in updated honey storage standards.

Antibacterial activity of Hungarian varietal honeys against respiratory pathogens as a function of storage time

Today, antibiotic therapies that previously worked well against certain bacteria due to their natural sensitivity, are becoming less effective. Honey has been proven to inhibit the biofilm formation of some respiratory bacteria, however few data are available on how the storage time affects the antibacterial effect. The activity of black locust, goldenrod, linden and sunflower honeys from three consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022) was analyzed in 2022 against Gram-negative (Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Streptococcus pneumoniae) bacteria using in vitro microbiological methods. After determining the physicochemical parameters of honey, broth microdilution was applied to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of each honey type against each bacterium, and crystal violet assay was used to test their antibiofilm effect. The possible mechanism of action was explored with membrane degradation test, while structural changes were illustrated with scanning electron microscopy. Honeys stored for one or two years were darker than fresh honeys, while older honeys had significantly lower antibacterial activity. The most remarkable inhibitory effect was exerted by linden and sunflower honeys, and P. aeruginosa proved to be the most resistant bacterium. Based on our results, honey intended for medicinal purposes should be used as fresh as possible during a treatment.

Hydroxymethylfurfural content of old honey samples – Does the sticky treat really last forever?

Honey is thought to be a food source with indefinite shelf life - this statement is questioned in present work by analysing the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content of a unique series of old honeys from 1959 to 2020. Two special series are included where honey was produced and kept yearly by the same beekeeper for 30 years. Application development was carried out for White method by scaling down the volumes for the analysis. The HMF content of acacia honeys vary in a wide range (9–1320 mg/kg honey), but tendentially increase with age. However, rape and sunflower honeys show a remarkably high offset compared to the expected trendline and there is no observable pattern in their HMF level plotted against the year of collection. Even the youngest rape and sunflower honeys exceeded the threshold limit of 40 mg/kg and only acacia samples collected after 2015 remained below the accepted health value.

РАЗВИТИЕ ПЧЕЛОВОДСТВА БУЗДЯКСКОГО РАЙОНА РЕСПУБЛИКИ БАШКОРТОСТАН

The Buzdyaksky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan is part of the Pre-Ural agricultural zone, characterized by favorable soil and climatic conditions for the development of beekeeping. In 2019, there were 2,832 bee families in the district in all categories of farms; in public sector farms – 2,470; 115.1 tons produced; 65.5 tons of honey were sold. Central Russian and Bashkir breeds of bees are bred. They produce buckwheat, sweet clover, meadow, and sunflower honey varieties. One of the large beekeeping farms is Agricultural cooperative Kidash. Since the 30s of the 20th century at the Bashkir State Agrarian University (BSAU) [M.G. Giniyatullin, A.G. Mannapov, R.T. Mannapova, D.T. Shakirov, I.V. Shafikov et al.] and in the Bashkir zonal beekeeping experimental station (A.M. Kovalev, H.A. Tatukov, V.K. Tursukov, etc.) studies were conducted to increase the productivity of bee colonies in apiaries and others

Quality of monoflore sunflower honey from different regions of Ukraine

Quality of monoflore sunflower honey from different regions of Ukraine

RESEARCH OF THE HONEY BACTERICIDAL ACTION AGAINST SALMONELLA ENTERICA

Salmonellosis is a registered gastrointestinal disorder in the EU caused by the consumption of foods contaminated with Salmonella enterica. Symptoms include gastroenteritis, abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, fever, myalgia, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The current direction of research is the search for ways and means of preventing salmonellosis, including the consumption of health products. Natural honey has broad bactericidal properties. The aim of the research was to establish the bactericidal effect of monofloral type of honey against Salmonella enterica. The materials were 26 samples of monofloral varieties of honey: rapeseed, acacia, linden, sunflower; and bacterial strains from the international collection of typical cultures of the Salmonella enterica serovar. Typhimurium CCM 3807. The botanical origin of the honey samples was established using melissopalynological analysis. The antibacterial effect was studied by testing the minimum bactericidal concentration of honey using the microdilution method, using the incubation of microplates with a nutrient medium and the application of a bacterial suspension. The botanical origin of the examined honey samples was established: 11 Helianthus, 10 Robinia, 3 Brassica, 2 Tilia. Of them, 12 samples of honey showed a bactericidal effect: 6 Helianthus, 3 Robinia, 1 Brassica, 2 Tilia. Only 1 sample of sunflower honey (No. 8) caused the death of bacteria at a low concentration of 0.118 g/ml. It didn't have a high level of monoflorality – 68% (Helianthus 68%, Medicago 18%, Trifolium 14%). Other samples of honey when diluted in low concentrations didn't show a bactericidal effect. At a concentration of 0.375 g/ml, 4 studied samples showed a bactericidal effect, including 2 sunflower (No. 5, 13), linden (No. 18) and rapeseed (No. 14). At a concentration of 0.750 g/ml, 7 tested samples showed a bactericidal effect, including 3 sunflower types (No. 20, 24, 25), 3 acacia (No. 4, 9, 15) and 1 linden types (No. 19).

Grafting of Multifunctional Polymer Brushes from a Glass Surface: Surface‐Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization as a Versatile Tool for Biomedical Materials Engineering

AbstractThe unique features of poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA), such as its sensitivity to external stimuli like pH and the presence of tertiary amine groups that can be easily quaternized to introduce antibacterial properties, make it a promising platform for biomedical applications. In this contribution, a facile, cost‐effective, and ecological procedure for controlled grafting of PDMAEMA brushes from a glass surface, both in mL and µL scale, is developed. This concept involves utilizing an aqueous solution of sunflower honey as a source of reducing sugars to accelerate surface‐initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization. The PDMAEMA chains covalently grafted to the glass surface are then quaternized to form an antibacterial film. The thickness of the polymeric brush layer is determined by atomic force microscopy, while the chemical composition is analyzed by time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Water contact angle measurements demonstrate the pH‐sensitivity of PDMAEMA pointing out the potential application of the prepared material as smart surfaces. Furthermore, the antibacterial tests against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria strains are performed. The protein adsorption is used to evaluate the biocompatibility of the prepared surfaces. The resulting glass materials can serve as multifunctional surfaces for various purposes.

Determination and assessment of some physicochemical parameters of Bulgaria sunflower and polyfloral honey

Honeybee products are highly valued food products in the nutrition and medicine.This work aims to determine physicochemical parameters of polyfloral and sunflower honey, which are produced in Bulgaria. Twelve sunflower and 17 polyfloral honey samples were used in this study. The parameters color, water content, electrical conductivity, specific optical rotation, pH, proline, invertase, diastase, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) were analyzed. Bulgarian sunflower and polyfloral honeys were characterized by main physicochemical parameters and compared to products from other countries. The color correlates with the electrical conductivity and diastase correlates with invertase in the sunflower honey. The results of the present study indicated that Bulgarian sunflower and polyfloral honey are known for its good quality since the criteria that were closely correlated with the honey’s quality were measured.

Sunflower Honey-Evaluation of Quality and Stability during Storage.

Honey's unique qualities should last for several years when properly stored. Therefore, it is up to manufacturers to choose the right shelf life for their product while also considering the product's nature. Physicochemical parameters (water content, electrical conductivity, free acidity, pH, ash, water-insoluble matter, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sugar content and composition, and diastase activity) were analyzed in 24 samples of sunflower honey collected from several localities in Vojvodina, Serbia. Crystallization indices were also calculated. Furthermore, the impact of eighteen months of room temperature storage (22 ± 2 °C) in a dark place on selected physicochemical parameters (water, HMF, diastase activity, pH value, and free acidity) was investigated. The results of the initial test indicated that the tested samples of sunflower honey from Vojvodina is of good quality because the parameters under examination revealed results that were within the legal bounds of both national and European legislations. Eighteen months of storage at room temperature reduced diastase activity by 2 times, increased HMF content by about 17 times, and decreased the pH value of honey from a mean value of 3.66 to 3.56. The water content was relatively stable at 17.01% before storage and 16.29% after storage. The storage of sunflower honey did not have an impact on the free acidity.

HPLC-DAD Analysis and Versatile Bioactivities of Turkish Sunflower Honeys Using Chemometric Approaches.

Sunflower honey (SH) is bright yellow, fragrant, pollen-flavoured, slightly herbaceous and has a unique taste. The present research aims to examine the enzyme inhibitory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-quorum sensing activities and phenolic compositions of 30 sunflower honeys (SHs) produced from several regions of Turkey with chemometric study. SAH from Samsun exhibited the best antioxidant activity in β-carotene linoleic acid (IC50 : 7.33±0.17 mg/mL) and CUPRAC (A0.50 : 4.94±0.13 mg/mL) assays, anti-urease activity (60.63±0.87 %) and anti-inflammatory activity against COX-1 (73.94±1.08 %) and COX-2 (44.96±0.85 %). SHs exhibited mild antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms while they showed high quorum sensing inhibition zones measured in the range of 42-52 mm against the CV026 strain. The phenolic composition was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) system and levulinic, gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic and p-coumaric acids were identified in all studied SHs. The classification of SHs was performed the using PCA and HCA. This study revealed that phenolic compounds and biological properties are effective in classification of SHs according to their geographical origin. The results suggest that studied SHs could be valued as potential agents with versatile bioactivities in oxidative stress-related disease, microbial infections, inflammation, melanoma, and peptic ulcer.

Botanical Origin Influence on Some Honey Physicochemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Properties.

Five types of honey (multifloral, sunflower, linden, rapeseed, and acacia), from Southern Romania, were classified using chemometrics methods coupled with IR spectroscopy. The botanical origin's effect on the physicochemical characteristics of honey was studied to highlight the most valuable plant source of honey. Except for antioxidant activity, the moisture, ash, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, free acidity (FA), total sugar content (TSC), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), total phenolic (TPC), tannin (TTC), and flavonoid content (TFC) were significantly influenced by the botanical origin of the honey. The results showed that sunflower honey had the highest moisture (15.53%), free acidity (16.67 mEq kg-1), electrical conductivity (483.92 µS cm-1), phenolics (167.59 mg GAE 100 g-1), and flavonoids (19.00 mg CE 100 g-1), whereas multifloral honey presented the highest total sugar content (69.64 g Glu 100 g-1). The highest HMF content was found in linden honey (33.94 mg kg-1). The HMF contents of all tested honey were within the standard recommended limit, and they confirmed that the tested honey was free of any heat treatment. All five types of tested honey presented a safe moisture content for storage and consumption (12.21-18.74%). The honey's free acidity was in the range of 4.00 to 25.00 mEq kg-1; this indicated the freshness of the samples and the absence of any fermentation processes in the tested honey. Honey with a total sugar content over 60% (except for linden honey, with 58.05 g glucose 100 g-1) showed the characteristic of nectar-derived honey. The elevated antioxidant activity of honey was correlated with its high moisture, flavonoids, and HMF, whereas the tannins and HMF were positively correlated with ash and electrical conductivity. The higher content of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins was correlated with higher free acidity. The chemometric method, coupled with ATR-FTIR spectra, revealed a clear separation between linden honey from acacia, multifloral, and sunflower honey.

Thermogravimetric analysis of agar hydrogels in combination with honey and sesame flour for the product

An important factor in the stability and quality of gels during production, storage and use as part of confectionery and culinary products is their heat resistance, which depends on the ingredient composition and the content of dry substances. The article is devoted to the thermogravimetric analysis of agar-based hydrogels in combination with honey and sesame flour for the production of bars. The study consisted of two stages. At the first, experimental samples were studied - individual ingredients of the finished hydrogel: agar 1200 TM "Fujian Province" (China), food glycerin TM BASF (Germany), sunflower honey and sesame flour TM "Useful flour" (Ukraine). At the second stage, samples of agar hydrogels were prepared with the required amount of auxiliary ingredients: "agar 1%-water-glycerol 0.2%", "agar 1%-water-glycerol 0.2%-honey 25%", "agar 1%- water-glycerin 0.2%-honey 25%-sesame flour 20%".The comparative analysis of the curves showed that at all stages of decomposition of the experimental samples, mass losses occur due to water evaporation. It was investigated that the final mass loss for pure agar from the beginning of the experiment was 16.91% (16.75 mg), the change in the mass of glycerin was 0.17% (0.21 mg), the mass loss of sunflower honey was 46.06% ( 56.20 mg.), and for sesame flour, the mass change was 7.25% (8.92 mg). However, in complex gels, there was a decrease in the rate of water removal, which is associated with the appearance of additional bonds between agar and recipe components - honey and sesame flour. It was established that at the end of the experiment, the mass of the test sample, namely "agar-water-glycerin", changed by 42% (44.10 mg), the mass loss of the "agar-water-glycerin-sunflower honey" sample was 33.40% ( 36.74 mg.), the mass of the sample "agar-water-glycerin-sunflower honey-sesame flour" gradually decreased and at the end of the experiment changed by 28.82% (34.59 mg) at the temperature, which is associated with the evaporation of water phases. Key words: thermogravimetric analysis, derivatograms, agar, honey, glycerin, sesame flour, hydrogels.

Ecological risks of pesticide pollution of beekeeping products

The article is focused on the actuality of the ecological risks researching of pesticide pollution of agricultural soils, which are the feed and raw material base for beekeeping. There is mentioned the importance of permanent control over the content of dangerous toxicants, in particular chlororganic pesticides, in the bee honey and other beekeeping products in the article. The results of researching the content of residual amounts of persistent chlororganic pesticides hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichlormethylmethane (DDT) in samples of the sunflower honey which are taken from the bee farm of three administrative districts of Cherkasy region are presented. Significant pollution of the sunflower honey from the bee farm which is placed in the village of Novoselytsia by residual amounts of pesticides is detected, the concentration of the sum of metabolites and isomers DDT exceeding the maximum allowable standards in 1.3 to 2.3 times. It should be noted that the determined concentrations of the above mentioned pesticide in the soil (from 6.41 to 23.53 mcg/kg for the MRL is equal 100 mcg/kg) cannot be a source of significant pollution of bee honey. It is suggested that the reason for the xenobiotic entering to bee products through the biological cycle (soil – honey plant – honey) is the presence in the range of honey collection area of anonactive compound of toxic chemicals, which is a powerful source of toxicants, including pesticides into environmental objects. It is detected the direct correlation dependance between the content of pesticides in honey and their concentration in the soil (in the range from r=0.61 for the village of Stebne to r=0.98 for villages of Novoselytsia and Chervone). The importance of assessment of ecological risks of environmental pollution by pesticide residues was proved, since even a small concentration of a toxic substance in soil, water, air, nectar or pollen of honey plants often leads to massive damage and death of bees. It is noted that honey can be used as a suitable bioindicator for assessing the ecological risks of environmental pollution by toxic substances, including chlororganic pesticides.

Study on the quality of honey from different botanical sources and one re-gional origin

Research on honey is important from the standpoint of product quality and consumer protection. According to legislation in many countries, including Ukraine, honey is considered a food product and is subject to mandatory certification and labeling. Research on the physicochemical properties of honey is important for determining its quality and detecting falsification. This article is dedicated to the study of the quality of honey from various botanical and one regional source. Organoleptic and physicochemical properties of the honey were determined, as well as a comparison with a falsified sample. The results of the analysis showed that different varieties of honey have different physicochemical properties. The highest diastase number was found in buckwheat honey, while the lowest was found in linden honey. The mass fraction of sucrose was highest in buckwheat honey and lowest in sunflower honey. The water content was in the range of 18.4–21 %, with buckwheat and sunflower honey having similar values. The pH value was lowest in buckwheat honey and highest in linden honey. Research on the organoleptic properties showed that buckwheat honey has a dark brown color, pleasant aroma and taste without foreign flavors, and a viscous consistency. Sunflower honey has a golden-yellow color, bright and delicate aroma, sweet taste without foreign flavors, and a viscous consistency. Linden honey has a pale yellow color, pleasant and delicate aroma, sweet taste without foreign flavors, and a viscous consistency. Flower honey has a light brown color, pleasant aroma and taste without foreign flavors, sweet and tart, and a viscous consistency. The results of the comparison of buckwheat honey with falsified honey showed that the diastase number, mass fraction of sucrose and water, as well as the pH value in the honey were within normal range, while in the falsified sample the values of these indicators were different. These results indicate that falsified honey based on sugar syrup can be detected using physicochemical analysis. Therefore, a study of honey from various botanical and one regional origin showed that its physicochemical properties differ depending on the variety. Comparison of buckwheat honey with counterfeit honey based on sugar syrup has shown that the counterfeit can be detected by physicochemical analysis.

Дослідження біологічної цінності та нутрієнтного складу медового десерту

The article defines the biological value of honey dessert and its nutritional composition (content of vitamins, macro- and microelements, flavonoids, etc.). Honey dessert, which consisted of 65% sunflower honey, 30% bee pollen and 5% amaranth seeds, which were added in the form of flour, was used for research. Generally accepted research methods were used in accordance with national and international standards. The type of honey was confirmed by the method of pollen analysis, experimental studies were carried out on the basis of the National University of Bioresources and Nature Management of Ukraine and the NSC "Institute of Beekeeping named after P. I. Prokopovych". The biological value and nutrient composition of honey desserts with bee honey and amaranth seeds provided by the producers of the NGO "Beekeepers’ Women’s Foundation" were investigated. The content of vitamins, organic acids, squalene, flavonoids, macro- and micronutrients was determined. The predominant amount of citric (323.2 mg/kg) and oxalic (286.0 mg/kg) organic acids was noted. Potassium and magnesium accounted for 79.0% of the mineral composition of the honey dessert. The obtained indicators indicated the high quality of the honey dessert, as well as the expediency of its use in health and functional human nutrition. According to the determined indicators, the honey dessert contains 25 to 50 percent of the daily norm of necessary nutrients for human consumption. The practical value of the performed work is the use of research results for the development of human diets, production of new food products, and for the in-depth study of the impact of honey desserts on the human body.

Main indicators of honey quality and their relationships

Harmonization of product quality requirements contributes to increasing the competitiveness of domestic honeys on foreign markets. The purpose of the research was to establish the main quality indicators of honey samples of various botanical origins in accordance with the requirements of national regulatory documents. The material of the research was 115 samples of acacia, linden, buckwheat honey, sunflower and various herb honey. Sampling of honey and analysis of organoleptic indicators, honey color and moisture content, diastase and proline content, acidity was carried out in accordance with DSTU 4497: 2005. According to the results of organoleptic tests, it was found that in terms of color, taste, aroma, consistency, all samples met the requirements of regulatory documentation, as well as in terms of physicochemical parameters: the average values of the mass fraction of water for acacia honey 17.7 ± 1.2 %, linden – 17.5 ± 1.0 %, buckwheat honey – 18.6 ± 0.5 %, sunflower honey – 17.1 ± 3.5 %, herb honey – 17.8 ± 1.0 %; the value of the diastase number in different types of honey is from 5.05 to 57.3 Goethe units. Among the analyzed honey samples, 7 samples of acacia honey had the lowest enzymatic activity (from 5.05 to 11.92 units Goethe); content electrical conductivity of acacia honey 0.1 ± 0.01 mS/cm, linden – 0.5 ± 0.1 mS/cm, buckwheat honey – 0.4 ± 0.1 mS/cm, sunflower honey – 0.3 ± 0.0 mS/cm, honey from different herbs – 0.3 ± 0.0 mS/cm; the content of free acids was: acacia honey – 25.4±5.8 meq/kg, linden honey – 26.4 ± 3.9 meq/kg, buckwheat honey – 33.1 ± 3.0 meq/kg, sunflower honey – 26.5 ± 5.3 meq/kg, honey from different herbs – 26,7 ± 5.9 meq/kg. The results of the study of 115 samples of honey of different botanical origin according to organoleptic and physicochemical indicators meet the requirements of regulatory documents.

Neonicotinoid Analysis in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Honey Samples Collected around Tekirdag in Turkey.

In recent years, the widespread use of neonicotinoids in agricultural areas has caused environmental pollution due to its lower toxicity to mammals. Honey bees, which are considered as biological indicators of environmental pollution, can carry these pollutants to the hives. Forager bees returning from sunflower crops that have been treated with neonicotinoids treated sunflower fields cause residue accumulation in the hives, which reason colony-level adverse effects. This study analyses neonicotinoid residues in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) honey sampled by beekeepers from Tekirdag province. Honey samples have been subjected to liquid-liquid extraction methods before liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method validation was carried out to fulfill all the necessary requirements of procedures SANCO/12571/2013. Accuracy was in the range of 93.63-108.56%, for recovery in the range of 63.04-103.19%, and for precision in the range 6.03-12.77%. Detection and quantification limits were determined according to the maximum residue limits of each analyte. No neonicotinoid residues were found above the maximum residue limit in the sunflower honey samples analysed.

Safety and quality indicators of rapeseed and sunflower honey from different regions of Ukraine

The relevance of the study lies in the growing demand for safe and high-quality bee products, primarily honey, and the non-admission of low-quality products that can harm the health of consumers in the Ukrainian and European Union markets. In Ukraine, sunflower and rapeseed honey are in the greatest demand in export potential. The purpose of the study is to determine the compliance of rapeseed and sunflower honey obtained in Ukraine with the requirements of national and European Food legislation. To achieve this purpose, organoleptic methods of natural honey research were used and the diastase number, acidity, content of pollen grains, mass fraction of water, mass fraction of reducing sugars, sucrose, and hydroxymethylfurfural were determined. Analysis of rapeseed honey for the presence of genetically modified pollen was conducted using the polymerase chain reaction method in real time. It was established that prototypes of sunflower honey from Vinnytsia, Odesa, and Kyiv regions met the requirements of the national standard and European Food legislation, without signs of fraud. Currently, the use of genetically modified organisms is subject to regulation. Samples of rapeseed honey taken from the Vinnytsia, Odesa, and Kyiv regions did not contain genetically modified deoxyribonucleic acid. In terms of physical and chemical parameters, rapeseed honey met the requirements of the national standard. Honey collected in the Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions had an average water content of more than 18.5%, which meets the requirements for first-grade honey according to the national standard. Honey collected in the Odesa region corresponded to the indicators of the top-grade honey, the water content in it averaged 17.7%. According to the main physical and chemical indicators, rapeseed honey collected in Ukraine also meets the requirements of European food legislation. In addition, rapeseed and sunflower honey from the Vinnytsia, Odesa, and Kyiv regions are natural and can be sold not only in Ukraine but also on the territory of the European Union and the World Trade Organisation