Honey classification from semi-arid, Atlantic and transitional forest zones in Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Neste trabalho, amostras de mel produzidas em três diferentes regiões climáticas do Sudoeste da Bahia, Brasil (semi-árido, Mata Atlântica e Zona de Transição Climática) foram caracterizadas com base nos teores de minerais, elementos traços, cinzas e condutividade elétrica. Os metais foram determinados por espectrometria de absorção atômica. Com a finalidade de avaliar as variáveis químicas capazes de promover uma caracterização do mel produzido em cada região, as técnicas de cluster e componentes principais (ACP) foram aplicadas nos resultados das análises. Com base nas análises de cluster e ACP, foi possível distinguir os diferentes grupos de amostras correspondentes às três origens geográficas dos méis. A elevada correlação observada entre a condutividade elétrica e Cu nas amostras das zonas de transição climática, sugere que essas variáveis estão associadas, e esse fato pode ser atribuído ao uso de cobre na cafeicultura que é a principal atividade agrícola desenvolvida nessa região.In this study, samples of honey produced in three different regional climates in the southwest Bahia, Brazil (semi-arid, Atlantic and Transitional Forest Zones) were characterized on the basis of their mineral and trace elements, ash content and electrical conductivity. The metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The cluster and principal component analysis (PCA) methods were applied to the chemical concentration data in order to study the chemistry variables capable of promoting a characterization of the honey produced in each area. Cluster analysis and PCA distinguishes the different groups of honey samples corresponding to each region of the three geographical origins. The high correlation between electrical conductivity and Cu observed in honey samples from transitional forest zones suggested a coupling to the nutrient cycle, and can be attributed to use of copper compounds in coffee production, a major activity developed in all transitional forest zones.

Geographical origin of honey from eight sub-regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…Similarly, Belouali et al (2008) successfully classified 42 honey samples from the area of eastern Morocco into two groups: forest and nectar honey. The present results are in good agreement with other similar experiments performed on samples of honey from different regions around the world (Santos et al 2008;Uršulin-Trstenjak et al 2015;Kivrak et al 2017).…”

Antioxidant Capacity, Physicochemical and Floral Characterization of Honeys from the Northeast of Brazil

“…20 In order to determine the legitimacy of the particular floral source of honey, analysis of pollen (melissopalynology) and either organoleptic or physico-chemical properties are traditionally employed. 21 Their mineral, trace elements and ash content and electrical conductivity data were repeatedly shown to be a very effective means for the classification purposes of honey of various origins (geographical and botanical). 21 Reliable techniques for origin authentication are essential because official analysis of honey involves a series of several determinations of chemical and physical parameters that will be of little use for the geographical certification.…”

“…21 Their mineral, trace elements and ash content and electrical conductivity data were repeatedly shown to be a very effective means for the classification purposes of honey of various origins (geographical and botanical). 21 Reliable techniques for origin authentication are essential because official analysis of honey involves a series of several determinations of chemical and physical parameters that will be of little use for the geographical certification. Therefore, in recent years, several efforts have been made to address authenticity, typicality, traceability and intrinsic quality of honeys with the application of multivariate statistical techniques.…”

“…Therefore, in recent years, several efforts have been made to address authenticity, typicality, traceability and intrinsic quality of honeys with the application of multivariate statistical techniques. 21,22 Additionally, fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS DA), 23 along with GC/MS fingerprinting of headspace volatile compounds, subjected to orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis™ (OPLS™-DA), soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA), and OPLS™-hierarchical cluster analysis (OPLS™-HCA), 24 were used for characterization and classification of honey. Low Field (LF) 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), a rapid method for general application, to investigate water mobility in materials and foods, was used, as well, for differentiating the botanical origin of honeys.…”

The Use of Herbal Medicine in a Rural Community in Vitória Da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil: An Indication for Pharmacological Studies

“…Their villages were scattered over a wide range, known as the Sertão da Ressaca. Today, the original vegetation cover in Vitória da Conquista does not exceed 10%, consisting of Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes [9]. This vegetation type is of fundamental importance for maintaining the quality of regional watersheds, such as Rio Mole, Rio Pardo and Rio Caculé (rivers) that benefit a large population of southwestern Bahia [10].…”