Honey from Luso region (Portugal): Physicochemical characteristics and mineral contents

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Luis R Silva (Author) Other; Rorneu Videira (Author) Other; Andreia P Monteiro (Author) Other; Patricia Valentao (Author) FFUP; Paula B Andrade (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Microchemical Journal

Vol. 93

Pages: 73-77

ISSN: 0026-265X

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 94 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 139 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Chemical sciences

CORDIS: Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-GBJ

DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2009.05.005

Resumo (PT): This work was conducted to evaluate the quality of 38 honey samples from Luso region (Portugal), and to study the relation between Eucalyptus pollen and chemical properties of honey. Mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: pH 3.83; 16.65% moisture; 80.7 °Brix sugar; 0.35% ash; 419.6 μS cm− 1 electrical conductivity; 21.5 meq/kg free acidity; 9.6 meq/kg lactonic acidity; 31.2 meq/kg total acidity; 9.41 mg/kg HMF and 18.3° Gothe diastase activity. The mineral content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, and in the analysed samples, potassium was the major element, being magnesium the minor one. Mean values obtained were (mg/kg): Ca, 59.88; K, 1150.10; Mg, 35.57; Na, 261.43. Among the overall determined parameters, only Mg, ash and electrical conductivity were influenced by the presence of Eucalyptus pollen in the honey samples: the values obtained for Mg, ash and electrical conductivity in multifloral honey without Eucalyptus were lower than those of either monofloral or multifloral honey with Eucalyptus. The results obtained for physicochemical characteristics of Luso honey indicate a good quality level, adequate processing, good maturity and freshness. <br> <br> Keywords: Luso honey; Pollen analysis; Physicochemical analysis; Mineral content <br> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6W6H-4W8TWCK-1&_user=2460038&_coverDate=09%2F30%2F2009&_rdoc=14&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%236599%232009%23999069998%231393082%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6599&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=20&_acct=C000057398&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2460038&md5=9d556a429db079a4da7df412c19d8af7"> Texto integral</a> <br> <br>

Abstract (EN): This work was conducted to evaluate the quality of 38 honey samples from Luso region (Portugal), and to study the relation between Eucalyptus pollen and chemical properties of honey. Mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: pH 3.83; 16.65% moisture: 80.7 degrees Brix sugar; 0.35% ash: 419.6 mu S cm(-1) electrical conductivity: 21.5 meq/kg free acidity; 9.6 meq/kg lactonic acidity; 31.2 meq/kg total acidity; 9.41 mg/kg HMF and 18.3 degrees Gothe diastase activity. The mineral content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, and in the analysed samples, potassium was the major element, being magnesium the minor one. Mean values obtained were (mg/kg): Ca, 59.88; K, 1150.10; Mg, 35.57; Na, 261.43. Among the overall determined parameters, only Mg. ash and electrical conductivity were influenced by the presence of Eucalyptus pollen in the honey samples: the values obtained for Mg, ash and electrical conductivity in multifloral honey without Eucalyptus were lower than those of either monofloral or multifloral honey with Eucalyptus. The results obtained for physicochemical characteristics of Luso, honey indicate a good quality level, adequate processing, good maturity and freshness. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5