Specific rotation and carbohydrate profile of Croatian unifloral honeys

Abstract

Specific rotation and carbohydrate profile of Croatian black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) honeys were determined. Fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose (with cellobiose and trehalose), melezitose (with erlose), raffinose, and xylose were evaluated and quantified by HPLC, while specific rotation was determined by using a polarimeter. The differences in the carbohydrate profile, especially in disaccharide and trisaccharide contents, reflected different specific rotation values of the honey types selected. Weak positive correlations between specific rotation and sucrose, melezitose with erlose, and raffinose contents were found.

Keywords

• specific rotation
• carbohydrate profile
• unifloral honey