Characterization of Portuguese honey from Castelo Branco region according to their pollen spectrum, physicochemical characteristics and mineral contents

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of 16 honey samples from Castelo Branco region (Portugal). Twelve are monofloral from and. The mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: 3.82 pH; 16.80% moisture; 81.6°Brix; 0.21% ash; 357.6 μS cm electrical conductivity; 33.7 meq/kg free acidity; 5.7 meq/kg lactonic acidity; 39.3 meq/kg total acidity; 9.11 mg/kg HMF; 21.3 IN invertase and 9.0° Gothe for diastase activities. The results indicate a good quality, adequate processing, good maturity and freshness of honey. Additionally, the determination of mineral contents revealed that the K was the major element. Mean values obtained were (mg/kg): Ca, 28.36; K, 701.87; Mg, 74.00; Na, 31.04; Fe, 097; Cu, 0.65; Zn, 1.23; Mn, 2.78 and P, 48.80. Among the overall determined parameters, CB2 stands out by its high values in minerals, pH, moisture, ash, electrical conductivity and enzyme activity.

Authentication of honeys from Caramulo region (Portugal): Pollen spectrum, physicochemical characteristics, mineral content, and phenolic profile

“…In the present study, all samples had a percentage of moisture content below the imposed limit of ≤20%, the maximum acceptable moisture content of honey by the European Community Directive (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, ; Codex Alimentarius, ). The results presented herein are in accordance with those of other works (Can et al., ; Estevinho et al., ; Karabagias et al., ; Silva et al., , ; Zhou et al., ).…”

“…The obtained results are in accordance with the Portuguese legislation (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheriesugal, 2003) and are within the standard limit that ensures the freshness of honey samples (pH 3.40 ± 0.002 to 6.10 ± 0.003) (Bogdanov et al., ). Furthermore, the results of this study are consistent with other from previous studies, namely, in Portuguese honeys from Castelo Branco (3.34 to 5.33) (Silva et al., ), Luso (3.45 to 4.70) (Silva et al., ), Trás‐Os‐Montes (3.50 to 4.00) (Estevinho et al., ), and Braga (3.62 to 4.42) (Karabagias et al., ), and also similar to Italian (3.89 to 5.42) (Truzzi et al., ), Spanish (3.56 to 4.79) (Terrab et al., ), and Brazilian (2.96 to 4.95) honeys (Silva et al., ).…”

“…On the other hand, compared with other Portuguese honey samples collected from Castelo Branco region, a different pollen profile can be observed. In a total of 16 honey samples analyzed, Lavandula , Rubus , and Cistus ladanifer were the most predominant, followed by Erica , Cistacea , Campanula , Raphanus , Olea , and Scandix (Silva et al., ). Additionally, honeys from Serra da Lousã are mainly composed of pollen grains from Eucalyptus globulus L. (present in 100% of the 60 studied samples), followed by Erica sp.…”

“…Therefore, the analytical evaluation of honey quality is very important to guarantee their quality and prevent the occurrence of adulterations. Several reports exist about the physicochemical composition of honeys from different countries and regions (Estevinho, Feás, Seijas, & Pilar Vázquez‐Tato, ; Mondragón‐Cortez, Ulloa, Rosas‐Ulloa, Rodríguez‐Rodríguez, & Resendiz Vázquezc, ; Silva et al., , Silva, Videira, Monteiro, Valentão, & Andrade, ; Silva, Alves, Das Fernandes, & Müller, ; Terrab, Recamales, Hernanz, & Heredia, ; Truzzi et al., ). Pollen analysis has become more popular in the recent times, once the consumers prefer monofloral instead of multifloral honeys.…”

“…Moreover, physicochemical parameters also allow discrimination between nectar honey and honeydew (Pita‐Calvo & Vázquez, ). Relative to mineral and phenolic contents, their contribution in distinguishing honey is low; however, these are considered environmental markers and influence its nutritional value (Silva et al., ).…”