Physicochemical and bioactive characterization of beekeeper and market honeys

Abstract

Honey is a popular sweetener that makes significant contributions to human nutrition. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare specific properties relating to honey quality and biological value such as total phenolic content, color, color intensity, proline and other quality parameters like moisture content, electrical conductivity, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity in various honeys directly from beekeepers and from markets. In total fiftysix honey samples directly from Czech and Slovak beekeepers (n=25) and from markets in the Czech Republic (n=31) were collected during 2018. The determined parameters varied depending on the botanical and geographical origin of honeys. The identified most significant differences (p < 0.01) between the analyzed beekeepers and market honeys in color, color intensity, total phenolic content, moisture content and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural point to the different properties and impact of honey processing on honey composition. In several parameters, like color, color intensity, total phenolic content, proline content and electrical conductivity a very good correlations with botanical origin of honey were observed and beside the melissopalynological analysis these parameters participated on characterization and authentication of unifloral honeys. Normally, there is a positive correlation between color and electrical conductivity, however we have also confirmed that the color of honey also depends on the proline content. The results of this study confirmed that the origin (beekeeper/market) and botanical source of honeys (unifloral/nectar/honeydew) had effect on their quality and biological value.