Chemometrics Classification of Argentine Clover and Eucalyptus Honeys According to Palynological, Physicochemical, and Sensory Properties

Abstract

Palynological, physicochemical, and sensory methods were applied to ascertain the most discriminant variables for honey characterization. Fifteen physicochemical parameters, six indicators of antioxidant capacity and eight sensory attributes were considered. Clover and eucalyptus honeys were differentiated when the linear discriminant analysis was applied. Electrical conductivity, sugars, ferric ion reducing, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity were the most discriminant variables. Odor and color intensities were the sensory attributes scoring the major differences between honeys. The canonical correlations technique pointed out that differences were related primarily to the content of pollen from Trifolium, Medicago sativa, and Lotus. These standards of quality provide a differentiating tool to classify unifloral honeys.

Keywords:

• Eucalyptus honey
• Clover honey
• Multivariate statistical methods

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (UTN 25\M045) for providing financial support for this study.