This study aimed to characterize the honeys of Babors Kabylia through sensory, melissopalynological and physico-chemical parameters. Thirty samples of honey produced in this region were collected over a period of two years and analyzed. All the samples presented physico-chemical parameters in conformity with legislation on honey quality, with few exceptions, linked mainly to beekeeping management. The pollen spectrum revealed a great diversity with 96 pollen types. The main pollen types were spontaneous species as Fabaceae (Hedysarum, Trifolium, Genisteae plants), Asteraceae plants, Ericaceae (Erica arborea L.) or Myrtus and Pistacia. The sensory properties of samples showed a high tendency to crystallization, the colors were from white to brown, but most of them had gold color. Smell and odor corresponded mainly to vegetal and fruity families and in taste perceptions besides sweetness highlighted sourness and saltiness notes. Seventeen samples were polyfloral, one was from honeydew and twelve were monofloral from heather, genista plants, sulla, blackberry or Asteraceae. Heather and the honeydew samples showed the darkest color, the highest electrical conductivity and phenol and flavonoid content. A statistical analysis based on the most representative pollen types, sensory properties and some physico-chemical components allowed the differentiation of honey samples in terms of botanical origin.

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The aim of this study was the characterization and evaluation with in vitro test of some biological activities of honey samples belonging to the Algerian flora. Physicochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the quality of the honey samples. Total phenols, flavonoid content, and free radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were measured as antioxidant determinants. Finally, in vitro antimicrobial tests were carried out to evaluate the inhibitory capacity against certain micro-organisms (Gram+ and Gram− bacteria and a yeast species). According to the results, the majority of the samples met the appropriate standards for good quality. Their total phenolic content was average, while the flavonoid content was considerable. The DPPH antiradical test gave positive and strong results, with the darker colored honey and even citrus honey showing the best activity. The antimicrobial results showed significant capabilities against all bacteria studied. Only a honey sample labeled as “Sulla honey” was able to inhibit the spread of the yeast Candida albicans. Statistical analyses revealed that the differences in all results were significant between samples, confirming the influence of botanical and geographical origin.