Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of 17 commercial Moroccan honeys.
In this study, 17 commercial honey samples from Morocco were analyzed. Four samples did not meet the international physicochemical standards due to high hydroxymethylfurfural content and low diastase activity. Phenol content varied from 163.82 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg in citrus honey to 923.70 mg (GAE)/kg in thyme honey from Rachidia; flavonoid content ranged from 4.26 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/kg in citrus honey to 139.62 mg QE/kg in black cumin honey. Black cumin honey had the highest peroxyl scavenging activity; oregano (from Zaraphyt) and thyme honeys (from Rachidia) had the highest ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid]) scavenging activity; and thyme honey (Saouira) had the highest NO scavenging capacity. The antioxidant activity of Moroccan honeys was correlated with the phenol, flavonoid, and melanoidin contents. Dark honeys had higher antioxidant activity than light honeys. Samples with high sodium levels had lower free radical scavenging activity. On the other hand, calcium and magnesium increased the ABTS and peroxyl scavenging capacity, respectively, of honey samples. According to cluster and discriminant analyses, the honey samples were grouped in three clusters with respect to the phenol, flavonoid, melanoidin, proline, mineral and sugar contents, and free radical scavenging capacity.
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, IBB-Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidade do Algarve , Faro , Portugal and.
Smail
S
Aazza
Badiaa
B
Lyoussi
Dulce
D
Antunes
Maria Graça
MG
Miguel
D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000032:analysis; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005062:European Union; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D005513:Food Inspection; D063427:Food Quality; D005662:Furaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis* / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D008274:Magnesium; D009018:Morocco; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D010858:Pigmentation; D057048:Plant Nectar; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000032:analysis
D000975:Antioxidants; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D057048:Plant Nectar; D011108:Polymers; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; C011908:melanoidin polymers; C008046:5-hydroxymethylfurfural; D005662:Furaldehyde; D000681:Amylases; D008274:Magnesium
Antioxidant activity; Morocco; honey; physicochemical characteristics