Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of honey withEragrostisspp. pollen predominance

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the pollen and physicochemical profiles, and to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of six samples of Moroccan honey. The pollen grains of Eragrostis spp. were predominant in all samples (from a minimum of 46.58 6 1.59% to 72.72 6 2.43% as a maximum), exceeding the minimum (generally 45%) required for the monoflorality nomination of a honey sample, and suggestion a case of newly reported honey. The analyzed samples had low diastase activity and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content. Potassium was the dominant element in practically all samples, except the sample with the highest Eragrostis spp. pollen percentage, which showed sodium predominance. The honey color ranged from water white to light amber, and positively correlated the concentrations of phenols, proline and the capacity for scavenging free radicals. However, great variability observed in all the analyzed parameters, and could not be explained by the variability of the Eragrostis spp. pollen percentage, which suggests a hypothesis of low concentrated nectar. Practical applicationsThe melissopalynological profile of honey is an important parameter for determining the type of honey (multifloral, monofloral, blossom, honeydew) and its relationship to the botanical and geographical provenance. There is generally a relationship between the pollen profile of honey and the biological properties. The physicochemical characterization, antioxidant activity and melissopalynological profile of Eragrostis honey was reported for the first time in this study. These data intend to contribute for the introduction of a new type of honey labeled as Eragrostis honey. At the same time, the evaluation of the antioxidant activity may also trigger the search of other biological properties with medicinal attributes for the new Eragrostis ssp. honey. K E Y W O R D Sfood quality, melanoidins, natural antioxidants J Food Biochem. 2018;42:e12431.

Comparative study of physio-chemical analysis of fresh and branded honeys from Pakistan

“…Orange, Barseem and Shesham have same values (47) that contain Extra light amber color while Qurshi honey has Light Amber color. Aazza et al (2018). Boussaid et al, 2018, Khalafi et al, 2016 found the color range between 71.27 mmPfund, 36.64–51.37 mmPfund and 19–45.6 mmPfund, closely resemble the current research.…”

“…The proline contents of fresh honey samples were within the codex limit (≥180 mg/kg) and directive 2001/EC (≥180 mg/kg) as compared to branded honey samples. Moloudian et al, 2018, Aazza et al, 2018 and Nayik and Nanda (2015) analyzed the proline content ranged from 240.4 to 848.07 mg/kg, 256.46–924.98 mg/kg and 205.3–551.74 mg/kg respectively, in Iranian and Morocco honey more or less similar to the range of proline content of fresh honeys examined in the current research. The level of proline has been reported to vary depending on the honey flora, but this is more closely associated with the working performance of bees (Manzanares et al, 2014).…”

Comparative Study of the Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Two Types of Moroccan Euphorbia Entire Honey and Their Phenolic Extracts

“…The colour of honey was evaluated as reported by Aazza et al [16]. A solution of 1 g in 2 mL of distilled water was prepared and the absorbance measured at λ = 635 nm (A 635 ).…”

Antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory potential of Euphorbia resinifera and E. officinarum honeys from Morocco and plant aqueous extracts

“…The colour was determined by measuring the absorbance of the honey solution (1 g in 2 mL of distilled water) at 635 nm (A 635 ), using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Ultrospec™ 1100 pro UV/visible spectrophotometer). The mm Pfund values of honey samples were obtained using the following algorithm: mm Pfund = − 38.7 + 371.39 × A 635 (Aazza et al 2017)…”