Natural Honeys of Different Origin as a Source of Biologically Active Components

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the polyphenol and flavonoid content, electrical conductivity and color measurement of 15 natural honeys. Honey samples were collected from different locations of Slovakia (6 samples), Poland (5 samples) and Serbia (4 samples) and were obtained directly from local beekeepers. The mean content of polyphenolic substances ranged from 611.2 to 2962.24 mg.kg-1. Multifloral honeys were shown to be a good source of TPC, they ranged from 611 to 1257.12 mg.kg-1, those of the samples originated from Poland showed 611 to 990 mg.kg-1, and from Slovakia 703.7 to 1257.12 mg.kg-1 TPC. Forest honeys were found to be also good source of TPC, they ranged from 769 to 1052 mg. kg-1. High correlation was found between TPC and flavonoid content (r=0.92). Mean content of flavonoids in the honeys expressed as rutin content ranged from 112.46 to 846.58 mg.kg-1. Multifloral honeys ranged from 112.49 to 592.35 mg.kg-1, those of the samples originated from Poland proved 112.49 to 189.13 mg.kg-1 flavonoids, and from Slovakia 127.48 to 592.35 mg.kg-1. Forest honeys as a source of flavonoids were proved to be from 136.48 to 266.79 mg.kg-1. Objective measurement of honey color was performed by the L*a*b* system.

Keywords

• color
• electrical conductivity
• flavonoids
• natural honey
• total polyphenol content