engleski

Evaluation of physicochemical parameters, total phenolic content, and radical scavenging activity of rare unifloral false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L.) honey

Honey is a popular natural sweet substance produced by honeybees, from the nectars of plant flowers and/or honeydew. Due to its nutritional, antimicrobial, and antioxidative properties honey has been used for centuries as both a food and a medicine. Chemical composition and, hence, health- promoting properties of honey depend of various factors whereby its floral origin is the most important one. In this work we have investigated 15 samples of unifloral false indigo honey. False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L.) is an aggressive invasive shrub whose flowers with rich nectar production have an important melliferous potential. The aim of the current study is to evaluate physicochemical properties (moisture, electrical conductivity (EC), optical rotation, acidity, pH values), total phenolic content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity (RSA) of false indigo honey samples. The study revealed that regarding the basis physicochemical parameters studied honey samples met the relevant EU standards[2]. Samples were characterised with TPC values ranging between 271.04 and 847.81 mg gallic acid/kg, while the results of RSA ranged from 16.03% to 29.93%. The results obtained for physicochemical characteristics of analysed honey samples indicate a good quality level, adequate processing, and good maturity. High phenolic content and radical scavening activity showed that false indigo honey could be rich source of bioactive compounds.

false indigo honey ; physicochemical properties ; total phenolic content ; radical scavenging activity

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