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Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of honey with Eragrostis spp. pollen predominance

Publication . AAZZA, Smail; Elamine, Youssef; EL-GEUNDOUZ, Soukaina; Lyoussi, Badiaa; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Estevinho, Leticia M.; Anjos, Ofélia; Carlier, Jorge; Costa, Maria C.; Miguel, Maria

This study aimed to characterize the pollen and physicochemical profiles, and to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of six samples of Moroccan honey. The pollen grains of Eragrostis spp. were predominant in all samples (from a minimum of 46.581.59% to 72.72 +/- 2.43% as a maximum), exceeding the minimum (generally 45%) required for the monoflorality nomination of a honey sample, and suggestion a case of newly reported honey. The analyzed samples had low diastase activity and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content. Potassium was the dominant element in practically all samples, except the sample with the highest Eragrostis spp. pollen percentage, which showed sodium predominance. The honey color ranged from water white to light amber, and positively correlated the concentrations of phenols, proline and the capacity for scavenging free radicals. However, great variability observed in all the analyzed parameters, and could not be explained by the variability of the Eragrostis spp. pollen percentage, which suggests a hypothesis of low concentrated nectar. Practical applicationsThe melissopalynological profile of honey is an important parameter for determining the type of honey (multifloral, monofloral, blossom, honeydew) and its relationship to the botanical and geographical provenance. There is generally a relationship between the pollen profile of honey and the biological properties. The physicochemical characterization, antioxidant activity and melissopalynological profile of Eragrostis honey was reported for the first time in this study. These data intend to contribute for the introduction of a new type of honey labeled as Eragrostis honey. At the same time, the evaluation of the antioxidant activity may also trigger the search of other biological properties with medicinal attributes for the new Eragrostis ssp. honey.

2018-02Journal article

Open Access

Preliminary characterization of a Moroccan honey with a predominance of Bupleurum spinosum pollen

Publication . ELAMINE, Youssef; S, Azza; Lyoussi, Badiaa; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Estevinho, Letícia M.; Anjos, Ofélia; Resende, Mafalda; Faleiro, Maria Leonor; Miguel, Maria

Honey with Bupleurum spinosum (zandaz) as a main pollen source has not been the subject of previous detailed study. Therefore, twelve Moroccan samples of this honey were subjected to melissopalynological, physicochemical and microbiological quality characterization, as well as antioxidant activity assessment. From a quality point of view, almost all samples were within the limits established by Codex Alimentarius, and/or the European legislation. All samples presented predominance of B. spinosum pollen (more than 48%). Relatively high levels of trehalose (1.3-4.0 g/100 g) and melezitose (1.5-2.8 g/100 g) were detected. Those sugars, not common in monofloral honeys, could be used as an important factor to discriminate zandaz honey. Flavonoid content correlated positively with the honey color, melanoidin and polyphenol content, and negatively with the IC50 values of scavenging ABTS (2,2' - azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radicals, while proline amount correlated negatively with IC50 values of nitric oxide scavenging activity and chelating power. This correlation supports the use of anti-oxidant activities as important variables for PCA (principal component analysis). Both components explained 70% from the given data, and showed certain homogeneity upon analyzed samples independent of the region, suggesting the importance of B. spinosum nectar in the resulting honey characteristics.

2018Journal article

Open Access

Zantaz honey “monoflorality”: Chemometric applied to the routinely assessed parameters

Publication . ELAMINE, Youssef; Lyoussi, Badiâa; Anjos, Ofélia; Estevinho, Leticia M.; AAZZA, Smail; Carlier, Jorge; Costa, Maria Clara; Miguel, Maria

The comparison of Zantaz honey samples harvested in Morocco in two different years was performed through chemometric analysis of routinely assessed parameters. The objective was to study how the pollen profile of this newly reported honey shapes its physicochemical characteristics as well as to determine its monoflorality threshold, which has not yet been defined. The predominance of B. spinosum pollen was confirmed in the majority of samples reaching 45%, generally requested for monoflorality declaration. The principal component analysis (PCA) was used for clustering and variables correlations. Pollen qualitative and quantitative differences could discriminate the samples belonging to both seasons when combined with the sugar analysis (59.44%) better than the combination with physicochemical parameters (pH, acidity, ash content, electrical conductivity and color) (60.62%). Positive correlation between the presence of B. spinosum pollen and melanoidins, color, fructose, moisture, trehalose, melezitose, iron, manganese and calcium could be seen. Integrating all the parameters except the pollen data allowed distinguishing two groups with significant differences (P < 0.05) in B. spinosum representability (58 +/- 11.24% against 40 +/- 15.98%). This may suggest that 40% is the monoflorality threshold of the Moroccan Zantaz honey, although a confirmation with sensorial analysis is required.

2019Journal article

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