An investigation of the suitability of melissopalynology to authenticate Jarrah honey

Abstract

This study reports on the analysis of eleven Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) honeys, of which nearly half (n = 5) were re-classified as Blackbutt (E. patens) honey on the grounds of the predominant flower pollen identified by melissopalynology. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the honeys' physico- and phytochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity data, taking into account pH, electrical conductivity, refractive index and Brix values as well as moisture content, individual fructose and glucose content and derived fructose to glucose ratio alongside total phenolic content and antioxidant activity determined by the DPPH assay, no statistically significant difference was found amongst the eleven honeys classified by pollen analysis into two honey groups, ‘Jarrah’ or ‘Blackbutt’. This study therefore draws into question the value of melissopalynology as an analysis tool to authenticate Jarrah honey.

Keywords

• Eucalyptus
• Jarrah
• Honey
• High-performance thin layer chromatography
• Pollen analysis