Unraveling the Physicochemical, Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of the Honey Produced from the <i>Fallopia japonica</i> Plant
Alexandra-Antonia Cucu,
Otilia Bobiș,
Victorița Bonta,
Adela Ramona Moise,
Claudia Pașca,
Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan,
Rodica Mărgăoan,
Ștefan Dezsi,
Sara Botezan,
Ecaterina-Daniela Baciu,
Alexandru-Ioan Giurgiu,
Anamaria Mălinaș,
Daniel Severus Dezmirean
Affiliations
Alexandra-Antonia Cucu
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Otilia Bobiș
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Victorița Bonta
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Adela Ramona Moise
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Claudia Pașca
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan
Department of Horticulture and Landscaping, Faculty of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Rodica Mărgăoan
Department of Animal Production and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ștefan Dezsi
Faculty of Geography, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Sara Botezan
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ecaterina-Daniela Baciu
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Alexandru-Ioan Giurgiu
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Anamaria Mălinaș
Department of Engineering and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Daniel Severus Dezmirean
Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Fallopia japonica (FJ), commonly known as Japanese knotweed, is now recognized as one of the most invasive plants in Europe and globally. Despite its widespread presence in Europe and its significant nectar production, there is currently limited scientific data on the unique unifloral honey derived from it. This study examines the physicochemical composition of Fallopia japonica honey (FJH) samples collected from various regions in Romania. Additionally, the nutritional and antioxidant profiles of FJH were assessed. The sensory analysis revealed a honey with a brown-caramel color and an intense flavor, characterized by fine, consistent crystals during crystallization. The results indicated that FJH has a high carbohydrate content (fructose: 35.12–40.65 g/100 g; glucose: 28.06–37.79 g/100 g); elevated electrical conductivity (387–692 µS/cm), diastase activity (9.11–17.01 DN), and acidity (21.61–42.89 meq/kg); and substantial total phenolic (89.87–120.08 mg/100 g) and flavonoid (18.13–39.38 mg/g) contents. These findings highlight FJH’s favorable nutritional properties, aligning with the standard codex for honey. The antioxidant profile of FJH demonstrated strong DPPH and ferric reduction antioxidant power (FRAP) activities, comparable to those of buckwheat honey, underscoring its potential health benefits and commercial value. These results provide new insights into how this invasive plant can be harnessed as a valuable resource for sustainable beekeeping practices.
