Physicochemical Properties of Honey from Marche, Central Italy: Classification of Unifloral and Multifloral Honeys by Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was the physicochemical characterization and classification of Italian honey from Marche Region with a chemometric approach. A total of 135 honeys of different botanical origins [acacia ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.), chestnut ( Castanea sativa), coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.), lime ( Tilia spp.), sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.), Metcalfa honeydew and multifloral honey] were considered. The average results of electrical conductivity (0.14 – 1.45 mS cm−1), pH (3.89 – 5.42), free acidity (10.9 – 39.0 meqNaOH kg−1), lactones (2.4 – 4.5 meqNaOH kg−1), total acidity (14.5 – 40.9 meqNaOH kg−1), proline (229–665 mg kg−1) and 5-(hydroxy-methyl)-2-furaldehyde (0.6–3.9 mg kg−1) content show wide variability among the analysed honey types, with statistically significant differences between the different honey types. Pattern recognition methods such as principal component analysis and discriminant analysis were performed in order to find a relationship between variables and types of honey and to classify honey on the basis of its physicochemical properties. The variables of electrical conductivity, acidity (free, lactones), pH and proline content exhibited higher discriminant power and provided enough information for the classification and distinction of unifloral honey types, but not for the classification of multifloral honey (100% and 85% of samples correctly classified, respectively).

Determination of physicochemical properties of multifloral honeys stored in different containers

“…But, at the ninth months of storage, statistically significant differences among HMF contents of honey samples stored in all containers ( p < .05). Truzzi et al () reported that the average results of electrical conductivity, pH, free acidity, and 5‐(hydroxy‐methyl)‐2‐furaldehyde of several honey types changed between 0.14 and 1.45 mS/cm, 3.89 and 5.42, 10.9 and 39.9 meq NaOH/kg, and 0.6 and 3.9 mg/kg, respectively.…”

Geographical characterisation of multifloral honeys from the Marche region (Italy) according to their antioxidant activity and colour using a chemometric approach

“…The samples were classified, according to the regional chart of the Marche region edited in 2003 by Taffetani et al . (Lanari et al ., ; Truzzi et al ., ), as coming from Mid/Coastal Hilly belt or from High Hilly/Submountain belt and are reported in Fig. and Table where their production sites are shown as follows: samples are represented using the colours of the cluster groups described in Section 3.5.1.…”

“…In the Marche region, the production was around 1150 tons (Naldi, ) in 2012, and one of the most produced types was multifloral honey that contains a mixture of nectar and/or honeydew from different plant species (Osservatorio Nazionale Miele ). Usually, to enter the annual quality contest ‘Premio Qualità Miele Marchigiano’ sponsored by ASSAM (Agenzia per i Servizi nel Settore Agroalimentare delle Marche), the Marche agency for the agri‐food sector (ASSAM ), the multifloral honey is classified as coming from the Mid/Coastal Hilly belt (MCH) or from the High Hilly/Submountain (HHSM) belt (Lanari et al ., ; Truzzi et al ., ), on the basis of its production site. Consequently, it could be interesting to study if differences exist among these honeys according to their geographical origin to increase their commercial value, as it has already been performed for honeys from other countries (Di Marco et al ., ; Pocol et al ., ).…”

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

“…Therefore, the analytical evaluation of honey quality is very important to guarantee their quality and prevent the occurrence of adulterations. Several reports exist about the physicochemical composition of honeys from different countries and regions (Estevinho, Feás, Seijas, & Pilar Vázquez‐Tato, ; Mondragón‐Cortez, Ulloa, Rosas‐Ulloa, Rodríguez‐Rodríguez, & Resendiz Vázquezc, ; Silva et al., , Silva, Videira, Monteiro, Valentão, & Andrade, ; Silva, Alves, Das Fernandes, & Müller, ; Terrab, Recamales, Hernanz, & Heredia, ; Truzzi et al., ). Pollen analysis has become more popular in the recent times, once the consumers prefer monofloral instead of multifloral honeys.…”