Pollen and inorganic characteristics of Bulgarian unifloral honeys

Abstract

The melissopalynological characteristics, three main physicochemical parameters (water content, pH, and electrical conductivity), and 19 macro- and microelements contents of 15 honey types from throughout Bulgariathat were collected from 2006 to 2009 were evaluated. The main honeys studied came from Robinia pseudoacacia L., Helianthus annuus L., Brassica spp., Tilia spp., and Vicia spp. The botanical origins of unifloral honey samples were identified as Lotus spp., Coriandrum sativum L., Daucus-type, Stachys-type, Salix spp., Prunus spp., Castanea sativa Mill., Paliurus spina-christi Mill., Sophora japonica, and Amorpha spp. Based on the physicochemical parameters and elements contents, one sample with high a percentage of Trifolium spp. pollen was identified as honeydew honey.

Keywords

• unifloral honey
• melissopalynology
• physical-chemical parameters
• macro- and microelements