Uršulin-Trstenjak N., Levanić D., Primorac L., Bošnir J., Vahčić N., Šarić G. (2015): Mineral profile of Croatian honey and differences due to its geographical origin. Czech J. Food Sci., 33: 156-164.The proportions of twelve minerals were determined in 200 samples of the black locust honey from five Croatian regions during two seasons. The average proportions were dominated by that of K (205.57-428.05 mg/kg), followed by Ca (33.53-329.00 mg/kg) and Na (23.34-218.04mg/kg), which was in percentages as follows: K 31.69-81.34%, Ca 6.51-35.56%, and Na 7.36-23.65%. Melissopalynological and physico-chemical analysis of honey confirmed its general quality requirements and botanical origin. One-factor analysis of variance showed a significant differences between the regions in each season based on the average proportions of macro and micro elements except for Mn and Cd in season 2 (P < 0.05). t-Test enabled an insight into the significance of differences between the seasons within each region based on the average proportions of macro and micro elements. Principal components analysis (PCA) showed that Al (Bjelovar-Bilogora), Fe (Bjelovar-Bilogora and Istria), Cu (Eastern Croatia), and K (Istria) could present mineral substances typical for the black locust honey of each region.

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.

Consumers are becoming more aware of consumption of honey -the food with properties beneficial for health.In accordance with The European Union Council Directive Relating to Honey, as well as with the current legislation in the Republic of Croatia, the requirement for labeling the botanical origin of nectar honey is the presence of the dominant flower pollen as well as sensory and physicochemical analysis.The paper is a confirmation of botanical origin, the profile of physicochemical parameters with differences within the seasons/regions and the consumption of honey.This research covered 200 samples of black locust honey, collected from beekeepers during two seasons in five Croatian regions -20 samples from each region. A survey was conducted among 151 students to gather information on their honey consumption habits.The method used in the paper was melissopalynological and physicochemical analysis, ANOVA and a survey.All the tested samples contain the sufficient number of pollen grains >20% of Robinia pseudoacacia. The results of physicochemical quality parameters are as follows: mean water 15.99-18.03%; free acids 8.16-12.94 mEq/1000g; electrical conductivity 0.12-0.22 mS/cm; reducing sugars 66.94-70.88 g/100g; sucrose 0.10-2.90 g/100g; diastasis 9.07-15.14 DN; HMF 0.50-18.99 mg/ kg. Conducted data analysis of variance within physicochemical parameters regarding seasons and regions showed statistically significant difference among seasons p < 0.05 for water, while for diastasis activity it showed statistically significant difference among regions p < 0.05.Out of 141 (93%) respondents who consume honey, 63 (44%) of them consume it in quantities which are smaller than the Croatian average.

Consumers are becoming more aware of consumption of honey -the food with properties beneficial for health.In accordance with The European Union Council Directive Relating to Honey, as well as with the current legislation in the Republic of Croatia, the requirement for labeling the botanical origin of nectar honey is the presence of the dominant flower pollen as well as sensory and physicochemical analysis.The paper is a confirmation of botanical origin, the profile of physicochemical parameters with differences within the seasons/regions and the consumption of honey.This research covered 200 samples of black locust honey, collected from beekeepers during two seasons in five Croatian regions -20 samples from each region. A survey was conducted among 151 students to gather information on their honey consumption habits.The method used in the paper was melissopalynological and physicochemical analysis, ANOVA and a survey.All the tested samples contain the sufficient number of pollen grains >20% of Robinia pseudoacacia. The results of physicochemical quality parameters are as follows: mean water 15.99-18.03%; free acids 8.16-12.94 mEq/1000g; electrical conductivity 0.12-0.22 mS/cm; reducing sugars 66.94-70.88 g/100g; sucrose 0.10-2.90 g/100g; diastasis 9.07-15.14 DN; HMF 0.50-18.99 mg/ kg. Conducted data analysis of variance within physicochemical parameters regarding seasons and regions showed statistically significant difference among seasons p < 0.05 for water, while for diastasis activity it showed statistically significant difference among regions p < 0.05.Out of 141 (93%) respondents who consume honey, 63 (44%) of them consume it in quantities which are smaller than the Croatian average.