Physicochemical and bioactive properties of Southern Brazilian Apis mellifera L. honeys

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of fifty Apis mellifera L. honey samples from southern Brazil in terms of the physicochemical composition, color characteristics, phenolic content, flavanol content, and antioxidant capacity. All of the physicochemical characteristics (moisture, free acidity, pH, sugars, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and diastatic activity) of 40 samples (80%) were within the limits established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Ten honey samples showed values outside the limits defined by legislation free acidity, moisture and sucrose content. The color of the samples analyzed was very variable and ranged from extra white to dark amber, according to the Pfund’s scale. The phenolic and flavanol compounds content, as well as the antioxidant capacity of samples, showed significant variation, with the darker samples having the highest values. Correlations between the parameters analyzed were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and, antioxidant capacity seemed to be associated with the total phenolic content and honey color. The results demonstrated the importance of evaluating the physicochemical parameters to best guarantee the consumers’ safety. In addition, these honeys samples, especially the darker, present relevant bioactive properties.

Keywords:

• Antioxidant
• flavonol
• honey color
• honey quality
• phenolic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) (Finance Code 001).