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Objective The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate various physicochemical properties, phenolic composition and antioxidant capacities of the oak honey, large quantities of which are produced in the Thrace region of Northwest Turkey. Methods Hunter color values (Lab), optical rotation, electrical conductivity, moisture and ash were measured as physicochemical determinants. Sugar, proline content, mineral, phenolic acids, total phenolic flavonoids contents were evaluated as chemical parameters. Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging were used as antioxidant determinants. Results The results determined that dark-colored honeys (mean 24.95±8.35 L) have proline levels (649.82±203.90 mg/kg), total phenolic content (TPC) (67.29±13.10 mgGAE/100 g) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (10.14±4.78 mgQE/100 g), a high ratio of fructose/glucose (1.65±0.18). Rutin (11.14±8.50 μg/g), p-coumaric acid (6.97±5.80 μg/g) and protocatechuic acid (6.12±4.39 μg/g) were the major phenolic components, and quercetin was also detected in varying amounts in all samples. Potassium (2523±0.28 mg/kg), calcium (63.40±3.20 mg/kg) and magnesium (38.88±0.65 mg/kg) were the major minerals in the honeys. Conclusion Our results showed that physicochemical properties, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, sugar and mineral contents successfully distinguish the geographical origins of oak honey. These findings will contribute to a more accurate evaluation of oak honey in the literature.

Anzer honey is produced on the Anzer plateau, known for its rich flora, in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. It is well known across the world, and is believed to be of high medical value. This study is the first detailed research in which the polyphenolic profiles responsible for the bioactive properties of Anzer honey was determined, melissopalynological analysis was performed, and in which total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), and total antioxidant activities were identified. The ferric (III) reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrasil (DPPH) free radical scavenging test were used to determine antioxidant activity. The total mean phenolic content of Anzer honey was 26.92 GAE/100 g, and the total flavonoid content was 2.79 mgQE/100g. Anzer honeys' mean FRAP and DPPH values were 110.11 μmoLTrolox/100g and 49,12 mg/mL, respectively. The phenolic acids and flavonoids of Anzer honey were determined using highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Of the 19 standard compounds used in the analysis, pinocembrin, hesperidin, chrysin, protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid, catechin, caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE), p-OH benzoic acid, and caffeic acid as major compounds, while myricetin, luteolin, rutin, resveratrol, epicatechin, t-cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, and gallic acid were identified as minor compounds. Daidzein and syringic acid were not detected. Based on these findings, Anzer is a flower honey noteworthy for the rich variety of its polyphenols.

Lamiaceae has numerous proven biological properties. Our aim was to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and chemical composition of essential oil and extracts of Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata. For this purpose, we used four Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptomyces murinus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis), four Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersina enterocolitica, Proteus vulgaris), a yeast (Candida albicans) and a mold (Aspergilus niger). Essential oil and the extracts of Thymbra spicata have the most effective and significant activity against the bacteria, yeast and mold. Antioxidant activity of the Thymbra spicata was higher than Ocimum basilicum. Phenolic compounds have good properties like antioxidants acting as reducing agent, hydrogen donors and singlet oxygen quenchers. Fourteen phenolic compounds were analyzed and some phenolics were detected in Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata. These results suggest that Lamiaceae is rich in phenolic compounds and has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties as well. Therefore, it can be a useful herbal source in food and drug industries.

Royal jelly (RJ) is an important functional food, is used for many purposes. New methods are needed for thepractical characterization of royal jelly. In this preliminary study, SDS-PAGE electrophoretic profiles of royal jelly proteins were in vestigated. Raw royal jelly samples were analyzed by classical SDS-PAGE electrophoresis using 5% and 10% gels. The major protein spot were obtained at the samples collected same regions. Compared the proteins with known marker proteins they were between 5,2 and 116 kDa. Classical SDS-PAGE electrophoresis alone is not sufficient to determine royal jelly proteins, but can be used to basic characterization of royal jelly. Further selectrophoretic techniques are needed for a better separation.