Exploring the Physicochemical and Antioxidant Characteristics of Honey from Eastern Morocco: Insights into Potential Health Benefits and Molecular Docking Analysis
Azzedine Abeslami,
Hammadi El Farissi,
Ali El Bachiri,
Mariane Sindic,
Marie-Laure Fauconnier,
Etienne Bruneau,
Abdelmonaem Talhaoui
Affiliations
Azzedine Abeslami
Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Hammadi El Farissi
Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Ali El Bachiri
Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Mariane Sindic
Laboratory of Agro-Food Quality and Safety, Faculty of the Agronomic Sciences, University Liege of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Beekeeping Research and Information Centre (CARI), 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Marie-Laure Fauconnier
Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Molecules, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Liege University, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Etienne Bruneau
Beekeeping Research and Information Centre (CARI), 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Abdelmonaem Talhaoui
Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
This study evaluates the physicochemical properties, phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and molecular docking interactions of honey from eastern Morocco. Analysis confirmed compliance with European Commission standards, with moisture content ranging from 15.39% to 19.74% and pH between 3.79 and 4.94. Carob honey exhibited the highest protein content (0.42%), polyphenol concentration (720.16 mg gallic acid/kg), flavonoid content (90.5 mg catechin/kg), and antioxidant activity (63.5% DPPH inhibition). Strong correlations were observed between phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant properties. Molecular docking identified ethyl phenylacetate and thymol as key compounds with significant interactions with cytochrome c peroxidase, suggesting potential therapeutic effects. DFT calculations supported these findings, indicating these compounds may enhance antioxidant activity. The study highlights the exceptional quality and antioxidant capacity of honey from eastern Morocco, reflecting its unique floral sources and potential as a natural source of antioxidants with therapeutic benefits.
