PALYNOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION OF CROATIAN HONEYS - CHRIST’S THORN (PALIURUS SPINA CHRISTI MILL.) HONEY

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine physicochemical parameters and pollen spectrum of Christ’s thorn (Paliurus spina christi Mill.) honey. 15 samples of honey from three production seasons were analysed. Pollen spectrum indicated that all honey samples were unifloral, with Paliurus spina Christi pollen content of 46 – 92 %, while number of other botanical species varied in range from 5 to 16. Moisture, electrical conductivity, pH, free, lactone and total acidity, invertase and diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural and proline content and specific rotation were determined, as well as content of sugars. Physicochemical parameters showed that Chist’s thorn honey is characterized by high activity of enzymes diastase (25.39-50.51, mean 42.08) and especially invertase (164.9-299.7 U/kg, mean 245.5 U/ kg), high electrical conductivity (0.45-0.89 mS/cm, mean 0.68 mS/cm) and high proline content (346.4-667.1 mg/kg, mean 518.6 mg/kg).

Keywords

• christ’s thorn honey
• melissopalynological analysis
• physicochemical properties