Quality Assessment of Goldenrod, Milkweed and Multifloral Honeys Based on Botanical Origin, Antioxidant Capacity and Mineral Content

Abstract

The goal of the study was to evaluate the pollen spectrum, antioxidant capacity and mineral content of four Hungarian honey types, using multivariate statistical analysis. The light colored honeys were represented by milkweed honey and a multifloral (MF) honey with dominant pollen frequency of linden (MF-Tilia); the darker ones were goldenrod honey and a multifloral honey with Lamiaceae pollen majority (MF-Lamiaceae). The pollen spectrum of the samples was established with melissopalynological analysis. The absorbance of the honeys positively correlated with the antioxidant capacity determined with three of the used methods (TRC, TEAC, DPPH), but not with ORAC. The latter method correlated negatively also with other antioxidant methods and with most of the mineral values. MF-Tilia had high ORAC value, K and Na content. The MF-Lamiaceae had the highest K, Mg, P, S, Cu and Zn content, the last five elements showing strict correlation with the TRC method. The darker goldenrod honey had higher SET values and total mineral content, than the milkweed honey. The above character-sets facilitate identification of each honey type and serve as indicators of variety. The antioxidant levels and mineral content of honeys allowed their clear separation by principal component analysis (PCA).

Antibacterial and Biofilm Degradation Effects of Hungarian Honeys Linked With Botanical Origin, Antioxidant Capacity and Mineral Content

“…A major strength of our study is the extensive assessment of selected European honey types, focusing not only on identification traits (color, sensory characteristics, pollen spectrum) and quality parameters (antioxidant capacity, mineral content), but also establishing a connection with their antibacterial and antibiofilm effects. Our current study confirmed the reliable quality parameters of linden, milkweed, goldenrod and chestnut honeys, supporting our previous observations ( 1 , 9 ). As a starting point we selected the current honey samples based on the general observation that the color, antioxidant capacity and mineral content of honey were in positive correlation ( 1 , 9 , 46 – 48 ).…”

“…Our current study confirmed the reliable quality parameters of linden, milkweed, goldenrod and chestnut honeys, supporting our previous observations ( 1 , 9 ). As a starting point we selected the current honey samples based on the general observation that the color, antioxidant capacity and mineral content of honey were in positive correlation ( 1 , 9 , 46 – 48 ). In our case, the light colored linden honey was an exception with low TRC and TEAC, but high ORAC and mineral content.…”

“…To assess the impact of commonly available Hungarian honeys on food-borne pathogens, four unifloral honeys were selected, based on our previous results ( 1 , 9 ). Selected honey types included the light colored linden, milkweed, the medium dark goldenrod and the dark chestnut honeys, whose SET based antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with their color.…”

Antioxidant Capacity Determination of Hungarian-, Slovak-, and Polish-Origin Goldenrod Honeys

“…Similarly, in the present study, the color of Polish honey samples was the lightest, compared to Slovakian and Hungarian goldenrod honeys. In accordance with several other studies examining the relationship between honey color and antioxidant capacity [ 31 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], we found that color intensity correlated with total polyphenolic, flavonoid, and phenolic acid content, as well as antioxidant activities.…”

“…Goldenrod honeys from more southern locations (Hungary) exhibited higher antioxidant activity than the Polish and Slovak ones with the northernmost origin. Microclimatic differences may contribute to increased total polyphenolic content, which, in turn, influences antioxidant potential [ 32 ].…”