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Forty-nine samples of unheated, commercially purchased Andalusian (southern Spain) honeys were examined for diastase (a-and b-amylase) and invertase (a-glucosidase) activities. The honeys were from Citrus sp. (5), Sunflower (2), Rosmarinus (3), Eucalyptus sp. (4) or multifloral in origin (35). Mean value for diastase was 20.48 ± 10.14 (range 3.99-49.42) expressed as diastase number in Gothe's scale, for invertase it was 12.34 ± 8.09 (range 1.2-36.8) expressed as invertase number. Correlation was found between invertase and diastase activities (r ¼ 0.853). These results were compared with literature data and differences are discussed.

The citrus blossom honey of Sierra Morena (a mountain chain located in the south of Spain) has been characterised by melissopalinological, physicochemical and sensorial analyses with the aim of establishing criteria for a future Protected Designation of Origin, which includes citrus blossom honey as one of the monofloral types produced in that region. Thus, a content in pollen of Citrus sp. ‡5%, Maurizio classes I and II was established, the accompanying pollen spectrum characteristic being that composed by the Myrtus, Echium, Lavandula, Reseda, Quercus, Olea, Crataegus and Cistus pollen types. The physicochemical parameters set were electrical conductivity £0.27 mS cm )1 ; diastase activity ‡ 6 diastase number; colour £20 mm Pfund and coordinate CIE-Lab L = 89.72-95.18, a = )1.28 to 1.05, b = 16.99-21.79, C = 17-21.82, H = 87.23°-92.01°; hydroximethylfurfural £10 mg kg )1 ; free acidity £28 milliequivalents ⁄ litre and moisture £18.5%. From the sensorial study, the following profile, based on the evaluation of attributes on a five-point scale, was obtained: colour white-pale yellow, fluidity (4.22), odour intensity (3.55), citrus blossom aroma ⁄ odour intensity (3.6 ⁄ 3.8), sweetness (3.14), acidity (2.36), freshness (61.5%) and persistence (2.9).

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