title: Monofloral honeys by Sicilian black honeybee (Apis melliferassp.sicula) have high reducing power and antioxidant capacity.
abstract: Thirty samples from thirteen Sicilian monofloral honeys by the local black honeybee, and two honeydew honeys, were studied to assess phenol content, reducing power and antioxidant capacity as well as correlations among these parameters. Honeys fromApiaceaeshowed the highest phenol amount and capacity to reduce ferric ion and stable chemical radicals, whereas honeys fromLeguminosaethe lowest. All honeys were active against myoglobin-derived radicals usually formed in red meat after storage and/or heating and significant correlation (p= 0.023) was found between flavonoid content and deactivation rate of this radical. Dill > almond > tangerine > thistle > sulla honeys inhibited formation of lipoperoxides in either iron/ascorbate or azoinitiator -induced membrane lipid oxidation, whereas eucalyptus honey was mostly effective in the metal-dependent model. Honeys by black honeybee possess remarkable reducing power and antioxidant potential against radicals of interest in dietary foodstuffs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attanzio
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tesoriere
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allegra
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 28, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Livrea
keywords: Food science