Bioactive compounds and antibacterial properties of monofloral Ulmo honey

Abstract

Monofloral Ulmo honey is a very appreciated product in the international market but more information is needed in order to support their health properties. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity of monofloral Ulmo (Eucryphia cordifolia) honey samples were determined. The samples contained between 176 and 208 mg gallic acid eq (GAE)/100 g for total phenolic content (TPC) and 43–90 mg Quercetin eq/100 g for total flavonoid content (TFC). The antioxidant activity ranged between 91 and 152 mM eq Trolox/g and 28–49 mM eq Trolox/g for DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. All phenolic extracts from honey samples inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli by plate assays. The chromatographic profile showed that Ulmo honey contained the polyphenolic gallic, caffeic, and coumaric acids, the flavonoids pinocembrin, chrysin, quercetin, luteolin and apigenin, and abscisic acid.