Despite the challenging conditions in the pre-Saharan areas of Algeria, such as weak plant cover and a harsh climate, beekeeping is being developed and spread. In the present work, honey samples collected from ten locations in the El Oued region were examined during the spring of 2021. A melissopalynological analysis was carried out, followed by a floristic investigation. The 10 honey samples were also investigated for their physicochemical properties and antioxidant and antibacterial activity against five strains: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilus, Listeria innocua, and Micrococcus luteus. The floristic analysis found 65 species belonging to 33 botanical families, with a dominance of the Asteraceae family accounting for 18.461% of the total. The melissopalynological study revealed only one monofloral honey (Ziziphus lotus), whereas the nine others were multi-floral. The honey’s color changed from light to dark amber, and most tested honey was of high quality, fulfilling international criteria. The total phenol and flavonoid contents varied considerably amongst the various honey samples. Furthermore, LC-MS-MS phenolic profile analysis identified the presence of 20 chemicals, of which only three phenols were found in all honey types. Antioxidant capacity analyzed with FRAP test and antiradical activities against DPPH differed from one honey sample to another. Moreover, a significant correlation was recorded between the antioxidant activity, honey’s color, polyphenol, and flavonoid contents. The S. aureus strain was the most sensitive regarding honey antibacterial activity, while M. luteus and B. subtilis strains were only moderately sensitive.
<p class="042abstractstekst"><span lang="EN-US">Honey bees and beekeeping activity are of huge importance for the crop production and biodiversity conservation as well as for the economic impact due to ecosystem services. In the south of Algeria, the jujube blooming is an essential forage source for honey bees. The aim of this study was to determine the melissopalynological and sensory characteristics of Algerian jujube honey. Nineteen samples of jujube honey collected in south Algeria over the period from 2016 to 2018 were analyzed. The unifloral designation attributed to the honey was confirmed by a pollen analysis following the established standard methods. Sensory analysis is carried out testing the color, the odor and aromas. The results showed that <em>Ziziphus lotus</em> pollen was predominant in all samples, and in terms of sensory analysis, color ranged from amber yellow to light brown; the determined scent classes were warm, floral and woody with medium intensity; the aroma was represented by medium intensity with the warm caramelized, floral fruity and woody classes. Sweet flavor is perceived at medium intensity, acidic flavor is weak, astringent sensation is average and the piquant note is perceived with a low intensity. This work proves to be important for improving the knowledge in typical honeys.</span></p>
L'objectif de l'étude est la connaissance des potentialités alimentaires naturelles utiles aux abeilles et l'utilisation vernaculaire du miel dans la région de la Mitidja. Sur 103 espèces à fleurs identifiées, 32 d'entre elles sont les plus butinées. Des spectres floraux sont établis montrant deux périodes de disponibilité florale : importante et faible. Lorsque la source alimentaire est fortement disponible, les abeilles sélectionnent les fleurs à butiner. Elles chercheraient la qualité de la miellée. Le miel occupe une place importante dans la thérapie traditionnelle de la région. Mots clés Abeille · Plante mellifère · Miel · MitidjaAbstract The objective of the study is to gain knowledge on natural food potentialities useful to the bees and vernacular use of honey in the region of Mitidja. Of 103 species of flowers identified, 32 are the most foraging. Floral spectra are drawn showing two periods of floral availability: high and low. When the food source is highly available, bees select flowers to forage. They seek quality of nectar and pollen. Honey occupies an important place in traditional therapy in the region.
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