Antioxidant activity, quality parameters and mineral content of Portuguese monofloral honeys

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Abstract

Physicochemical properties (pH, free, lactonic and total acidity, electrical conductivity and moisture), main mineral content (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and iron) and antioxidant activity (total phenolics, 1,1diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric reduction antioxidant power) were determined for 39 Portuguese monofloral honeys (rosemary, orange, thyme, arbutus, locust podshrub and heather) with different geographical origins. Portuguese honeys showed good chemical and nutritional qualities fulfilling the criteria described in Directive 2001/110/CE. Potassium was the main mineral component representing 85% of total minerals. The mineral composition of sodium (4.63–200.60mg/kg), calcium (0.43–72.30mg/kg), magnesium (3.05–82.20mg/kg) and iron (below 7.06mg/kg) were higher for heather, eucalypt and arbutus honeys. Monofloral honeys of arbutus (Arbutus unedo), locust podshrub (Ceratonia siliquaL.) and heather (Erica umbellata) showed higher antioxidant activity with phenolic contents higher than 600mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/kg, a DPPH scavenging activity higher than 50% and a ferric reduction antioxidant power above 600μM Fe2+. Furthermore, the chemometric analysis revealed that total phenolic content was a crucial variable explaining the antioxidant activity of arbutus and locust podshrub honeys characteristic of the south of Portugal.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)130-138
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Food Composition and Analysis
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013

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