Honeydew Honeys: A Review on the Characterization and Authentication of Botanical and Geographical Origins

Abstract

The commercial interest in honeydew honeys (from the secretions of plants or the excretions of plant-sucking insects found on plants) is increasing because of their higher therapeutic properties compared with those of most blossom honeys (from nectar). However, honeydew honeys have been less studied than blossom honeys. In this work, studies carried out to characterize and authenticate honeydew honeys by their botanical and geographical origins have been reviewed. The identification of honey origins has been approached by two ways: by the analysis of chemical markers and by the development of analytical methodologies combined with multivariate analyses. Some compounds have been suggested as specific botanical markers of several honeydew honeys, such as quercitol and trans-oak lactone for oak honey, 2-aminoacetophenone and propylanisol for holm oak honey, and 1-chloro-octane and tridecane for pine honey. The presence of 3-carene and an unidentified compound in samples was proposed as a way discriminate between Greek and Turkish pine honeys. Chemometric analyses have been applied on chemical compositions and on physicochemical, microscopic, and spectral parameters and have proved to be valuable methods for authenticating honeydew honeys. Analytical methods based on spectral information are suitable for the routine control of honeydew-honey origins because they are fast and require easy sample preparations.

Physicochemical analysis and phenolic profile of polyfloral and honeydew honey from Montenegro

“…Moreover, botanical origin of honey could be successfully determined by electrical conductivity, among the other physicochemical parameters. 3,13 Considering the results of sugar content, only negligible extent content of melezitose indicate differences between samples, while other studies suggested considerable lower levels of monosaccharides, 13 and higher levels of oligosaccharides 6,7 in honeydew honey. Great similarity of physicochemical parameters for two types of honey types originating from a small geographical region indicates that honeydew honeys and poly-oral honeys represent a complex mixture of honeydew and nectar from different botanical species.…”

“…Based on the electrical conductivity of the 28 honey samples, eight samples belong to the group of honeydew honey, marked as No. 1,3,4,7,8,16,25,26 (Fig. 1).…”

“…The demand for honeydew honey is increasing, especially in certain regions of Europe where consumers enjoy its remarkable avor. 6,7 Honeydew honey usually has lower content of monosaccharides and higher content of di-and trisaccharides, such as melezitose, maltotriose or raffinose, which is a good indicator for the recognition of honeydew type of honey. 6 Montenegro is a country in the southwestern part of the Balkan.…”

Authentication of honeys from Caramulo region (Portugal): Pollen spectrum, physicochemical characteristics, mineral content, and phenolic profile

“…These ones are preferred by consumers due to their organoleptic properties and health benefits, being more expensive than the multifloral ones (Silva et al., ). Moreover, physicochemical parameters also allow discrimination between nectar honey and honeydew (Pita‐Calvo & Vázquez, ). Relative to mineral and phenolic contents, their contribution in distinguishing honey is low; however, these are considered environmental markers and influence its nutritional value (Silva et al., ).…”

“…Their authentication, based on the geographical and botanical origins, has been assuming great importance, being mainly associated with high-quality honeys. The focus is on the analysis of physicochemical parameters, such as pH, moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, electrical conductivity, sugar and protein measurements, melissopalynology, and target parameters (phenolic compounds, sugars, organic acids, proteins, minerals, DNA markers, among others; Belay, Solomon, Bultossa, Adgaba, & Melaku, 2013;Pita-Calvo & Vázquez, 2013). JFDS-2019-1677Submitted 10/12/2019, Accepted 11/28/2019 Direct inquiries to authors Silva and Alves (Email: luisfarmacognosia@gmail.com; gilberto@fcsaude.ubi.pt). of multifloral honeys.…”