title: Determination of the floral origin of some Romanian honeys on the basis of physical and biochemical properties.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the physical and biochemical properties of some Romanian honeys in order to discriminate between their floral origins. The evaluated properties were total phenolic content, total protein content, total free amino acids content, color intensity (ABS(450)), pH, ash content, antioxidant activity. Twenty-six commercial honeys from six types of flowers (acacia, sunflower, forest, polyfloral, lime and Sea Buckthorn) were investigated. All samples showed considerable variations with reference to their properties. The properties values were in the range of approved limits (according to EU legislation). The total phenolic, total protein and total free amino acids contents and color intensity varied considerably. Similarly, forest honey had the highest antioxidant activity while the lowest was found in acacia honey. Correlation between the floral origin of honeys and the physical and biochemical properties, respectively, was observed. Moreover, this study demonstrates remarkable variation in DPPH scavenging activity and content of total phenols in honey, depending on its botanic source.
authors.affiliation: Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 11 Arany Janos, 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania. ccimpoiu@chem.ubbcluj.ro
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cimpoiu
authors.forename: Anamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hosu
authors.forename: Vasile
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Miclaus
authors.forename: Anitta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puscas
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D052160:Benzothiazoles / Q000737:chemistry; D001669:Biochemical Phenomena; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D003116:Color; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012383:Romania; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000975:Antioxidants; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D010636:Phenols; D010851:Picrates; D011506:Proteins; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl