Characterization of Eucalyptus Globulus Honeys Produced in the Eurosiberian Area of the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

The characterization of thirty-one honey samples using melisopalynological and physicochemical characteristics as diastase activity, invertase activity, pH, moisture, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, and color, as well as phenolic and flavonoid content, mineral composition, and sugar content was performed. All the samples were produced in the Eurosiberian area of the Iberian Peninsula. Relationships between certain pollen types and the selected physicochemical parameters have been found using a Spearman rank correlation analysis. The principal component analysis of data set was an important tool for the determination of the variables used to characterize this honey type.

Keywords:

• Honey
• Eucalyptus globulus
• Characterization
• Physicochemical analysis
• Pollen analysis

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank the collaboration of the Spanish and Portuguese beekeepers who have generously provided the samples, and to the technician of the ‘Centro de Apoio Científico e Tecnolóxico á Investigación’ (CACTI) from Vigo University for their help.