A comparative study on phenolic profile,vitamin C content and antioxidant activity of Italian honeys of different botanical origin

The aim of our study was to identify and quantify the phenolic acids, flavonoids and vitamin C and to evaluate the antioxidant activity in ninety Italian honeys of different botanical origins (chestnut, sulla, eucalyptus, citrus and multifloral). The results showed that total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied from 11.08 to 14.26 mg GAE per 100 g honey and from 5.82 to 12.52 mg QE per 100 g honey, respectively. HPLC–UV analysis showed a similar but quantitatively different phenolic profile of the studied honeys. Vitamin C is present in all samples. Multifloral honey showed the highest amount of the detected total phenolic compounds and the highest vitamin C content. The DPPH value varied from 55.06 to 75.37%. Among the unifloral honeys, chestnut honey presented the highest levels of phenolic acids, flavonoids and vitamin C, which are closely associated with its high antioxidant activity. The results show that honey contains high amount of biologically active compounds, which play an important role in defining the nutraceutical quality of the product, and that the distribution of these compounds is influenced by the botanical origin.     

提取溶剂对青稞提取物总酚、黄酮含量及其抗氧化活性的影响

以3种不同的青稞为原料,采用不同的提取溶剂(水、60%乙醇、60%甲醇、60%丙酮、95%乙醇、100%甲醇、100%丙酮)对青稞进行提取。对各提取物的总酚、总黄酮进行测定,同时采用3种抗氧化方法:二苯代苦味酰自由基(DPPH)、2,2’-联氨-双(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)二胺盐自由基(ABTS)和总抗氧化能力(FARP)评价青稞提取物的抗氧化活性。结果表明,95%乙醇和60%丙酮更有利于青稞多酚的提取。藏青2000的各溶剂提取物的总酚、总黄酮及抗氧化活性普遍高于相应溶剂的循化蓝青稞和香格里拉绿青稞。藏青2000的60%丙酮提取物含有最高的总酚含量,达到211.92mg GAE/100g DW;在60%乙醇提取时具有最高的总黄酮含量,达到60.11mg RT/100g DW;在60%乙醇提取时具有最强的DPPH清除能力,达到80.08%;而用60%丙酮提取时,具有最强的ABTS清除能力和总抗氧化能力,分别达到了1.85,9.28 mmol TEAC/100g DW。总酚含量与抗氧化活性均具有显著的相关性,FRAP法与DPPH、ABTS法具有极显著的相关性。综上表明,青稞富含总酚成分,是一种潜在的天然抗氧化剂资源。     

HPLC flavonoid profiles as markers for the botanical origin of European unifloral honeys

The HPLC phenolic profiles of 52 selected unifloral honey samples produced in Europe were analysed to detect possible markers for the floral origin of the different honeys. Lime‐tree (five markers), chestnut (five markers), rapeseed (one marker), eucalyptus (six markers) and heather (three markers) honeys had specific markers with characteristic UV spectra. In addition, the flavanone hesperetin was confirmed as a marker for citrus honey, as well as kaempferol for rosemary honey and quercetin for sunflower honey. Abscisic acid, which had been reported to be a possible marker for heather honey, was also detected in rapeseed, lime‐tree and acacia honeys. Ellagic acid in heather honey and the hydroxycinnamates caffeic, p‐coumaric and ferulic acids in chestnut, sunflower, lavender and acacia honeys were also detected. The characteristic propolis‐derived flavonoids pinocembrin, pinobanksin and chrysin were present in most samples in variable amounts. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Metal content of southern Italy honey of different botanical origins and its correlation with polyphenol content and antioxidant activity

Seventy‐eight samples of southern Italy honey from five different floral origins (chestnut, eucalyptus, citrus, multifloral and sulla) were screened to quantify the polyphenol and metal contents, evaluate the antioxidant activity and determine the correlations between the parameters analysed. The average polyphenol content was 12.06 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g honey and 7.92 mg quercetin equivalent per 100 g honey, for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, respectively. The antioxidant activity ranged from 58.40% (eucalyptus honey) to 60.42% (chestnut honey) in the ABTS assay, from 152.65 μm Fe (II) (citrus honey) to 881.34 μm Fe (II) (chestnut honey) in the FRAP assay, and from 54.29% (citrus honey) to 78.73% (chestnut honey) in the DPPH assay. Fe and Zn were the most abundant among the tested metals, while Cd, Co and Mo were those less present. Chestnut honey presented the highest polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and metal content. The correlations between the analysed parameters were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The correlations between metal content and both total phenolic and antioxidant activities were particularly interesting, suggesting a relationship between metal and polyphenol contents in honey.     

Evaluation of antioxidant activity and total phenolics of selected Czech honeys

Honey serves as a good source of natural antioxidants, which are effective in reducing the risk occurrence of heart disease, cancer, cataracts, different inflammatory processes and immune-system decline. In the fresh selected Czech honey samples originated mainly from the region North Moravia antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content were determined. A total of 40 honey samples (multifloral, lime, rape, raspberry, mixture and honeydew honeys) native to different stations gained in the period from May by August year 2006 were analysed. Total phenolics (TP) content was determined by the modified Folin-Ciocalteau method [TP was expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalent (GA eq.) per kg of honey]. For evaluation of the antioxidant activity (AOA) three different methods were used, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazolin)-6-sulfphonate (ABTS) assay. AOA was expressed in mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AA eq.) per kg of honey. The results indicated that TP and AOA in Czech honey varied greatly between the honey kinds, location and time of the harvest. Average TP ranged from 89.9 mg GA eq. kg^-1 in lime honey to 215.2 mg GA eq. kg⁻¹ in honeydew honey. Antioxidant activity determined by the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods was lowest in floral honeys. The highest values were obtained for honeydew and mixture honeys. ABTS and FRAP assays have been shown to be the optimal methods for AOA determination in honey. A positive linear correlation between AOA and TP was observed (in FRAP assay R² = 0.852). It indicates that phenolics are one of the main components responsible for antioxidant behaviour of honey. The obtained results support and extend complete knowledge about the content of bioactive phenolics and antioxidant activity in the Czech honeys.     

Evaluation of the phenolic content,antioxidant activity and colour of Slovenian honey

Honey samples from the seven most common honey types in Slovenia were screened for total phenolic content by the modified Folin–Ciocalteu method, for potential antioxidant activity using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method for antiradical activity. In addition the colour characteristics of honey samples were analysed. The results of the study showed that total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and colour parameters differ widely among different honey types. Phenolic content expressed as gallic acid equivalent ranged from 44.8 mg/kg in acacia honey to 241.4 mg/kg in fir honey. Antioxidant activity was the lowest in the brightest acacia and lime honeys and the highest in darker honeys, namely fir, spruce and forest. The colour of the Slovenian honeys, analysed in this study was very variable and ranged from pale yellow to dark brown. Correlations between the parameters analysed were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).     

Using flavonoids, phenolic compounds and headspace volatile profile for botanical authentication of lemon and orange honeys

This study evaluates the usefulness of flavonoids (naringenin, hesperetin, chrysin, galangin, kaempferol, luteolin, pinocembrin, and quercetin) and phenolic acids (caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid) together with 37 volatile compounds in the differentiation between lemon blossom honey (Citrus limon) and orange blossom honey (Citrus spp.). The total content of flavonoids and phenolic acids is twice as high in lemon honey (6.20 mg/100 g) as in orange honey (3.64 mg/100 g); naringenin and caffeic acid were the main compounds in all cases. Hesperetin, a floral marker of citrus honey, was not significantly different for the two types of honey. A multivariate PLS2 analysis showed that some volatile compounds such as, 4 lilac aldehydes and bencenacetaldehyde (all abundant in orange honey) were negatively correlated with 4 flavonoids: pinocembrin, chrysin, naringenin and quercetin, and caffeic phenolic acid (all abundant in lemon honey). Moreover, the last 5 compounds were positively correlated with: 6 alcohols, 2 ketones, acetaldehyde and furanmethanol. This is a first approach to employ all of these compounds together with appropriate statistical techniques to differentiate between two varieties of citrus honey, and therefore it could be an interesting tool for their authentication.     

Total phenolic content,antiradical, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Rhododendron honeys

Fifty Rhododendron honey samples obtained from Black Sea Region of Turkey were screened for total phenolic content by the modified Folin–Ciocalteu method, for potential antioxidant activity using phosphomolybdenum assay and by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) method for antiradical activity. The antimicrobial activity was studied by the agar diffusion method, using eleven bacteria and two yeasts.     

Antioxidant capacity of Spanish honeys and its correlation with polyphenol content and other physicochemical properties

Thirty‐six Spanish honeys of different floral origins (nectars and honeydews) were assessed to estimate their radical‐scavenging capacity against the stable free radical DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl), their ability to inhibit enzymatic browning in apple homogenate and their clarifying effect on apple juice. These capacities were evaluated spectrophotometrically. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, acidity, net absorbance, electrical conductivity and total polyphenol content of the samples were also evaluated. It was observed that all these parameters presented a strong correlation with radical‐scavenging capacity, whereas antibrowning capacity had a low correlation with conductivity and no correlation with honey pH. When data of nectar and honeydew honeys were evaluated separately, net absorbance and honey acidity seemed to be good parameters to evaluate the antioxidant activity of nectar honeys; however, in honeydew honeys there were only relationships between radical‐scavenging activity and honey conductivity and between browning inhibition of homogenates and total acidity. In general, honeydew honeys showed higher antioxidant capacities than nectar honeys. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of different fractions of selected microalgae

In order to identify new sources of safe and inexpensive antioxidants, the antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content of different fractions of 23 microalgae were evaluated, using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay and the Folin–Ciocalteu method, respectively. The microalgae were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and water by a three-step sequential extraction procedure. Most of these microalgae were evaluated for the first time for their antioxidant activities. It was found that the microalgae Synechococcus sp. FACHB 283, Chlamydomonas nivalis and Nostoc ellipsosporum CCAP 1453/17 possessed the highest antioxidant capacities and thus could be potential rich sources of natural antioxidants. In addition, the correlation coefficients between the antioxidant capacities and the phenolic contents were very small in hexane (R² = 0.0075), ethyl acetate (R² = 0.5851) and water (R² = 0.3599) fractions. Thus, phenolic compounds were not a major contributor to the antioxidant capacities of these microalgae. This was very different from many other plant species like fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants. The microalgae could contain different antioxidant compounds from other plants.     

南疆12种植物抗氧化成分的测定及其清除自由基作用研究

测定南疆阿拉尔地产12种植物中多糖、黄酮和多酚类抗氧化成分及其抗氧化活性,明确三种主要成分与其抗氧化活性的相关性。采用紫外光度分析法测定抗氧化成分的含量,采用DPPH自由基清除法测定其抗氧化能力。结果表明,供试植物中多糖、黄酮和多酚类物质含量丰富,具有较强的清除DPPH自由基的能力,其中清除能力较强的植物为灰绿藜（IC50=77．29±4．80μg／mL）、紫花苜蓿（IC50=85．27±6．10μg／mL）和车轴草（IC50=94．16±4．62μg／mL）。就活性成分而言,多糖对DPPH自由基的清除能力极显著,多酚的清除能力显著,黄酮的清除能力不显著。供试样品醇提液对DPPH自由基的清除能力均呈现剂量依赖性。不同属植物的有效成分含量及清除DPPH自由基能力均有差异。     

UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS phenolic profiling and antioxidant capacity of bee pollen from different botanical origin

In this work, bee pollen samples from different botanical origin were investigated for antioxidant capacity. Thereafter, a phenolic profiling was produced through a mass spectrometric untargeted metabolomic approach. Marked differences were identified in TPC, ranging from 4.2 (Magnolia) to 29.6 mg g⁻¹ GAE (Lamium). Wide differences were also recorded in antioxidant capacity (ORAC, ABTS and DPPH assays). Untargeted profiling allowed annotating 467 compounds with flavonoids being the most frequent class of phenolics followed by phenolic acids, tyrosols, lignans and other. OPLS-DA clearly discriminated the most represented floral families (Umbelliferae, Rosaceae and Fabaceae), suggesting, thus, that botanical origin leaves a characteristic phenolic signature in pollen. Overall, 35 phenolics accounted for most of the discrimination, with flavonoids being the most represented class. Despite the fact that further research is needed, the phenolic profile of bee pollen is a promising tool to investigate the botanical origin.     

蔬菜抗氧化能力及与酚酸和总黄酮相关性研究

分析常见蔬菜总抗氧化活性,探讨蔬菜抗氧化能力与酚酸、总黄酮的相关性。采用ABTS、DPPH与FRAP法测定10种常见蔬菜的抗氧化能力,采用Folin-Ciocalteu法测总酚酸,硝酸铝-亚硝酸钠-氢氧化钠法测总黄酮,采用matlab软件进行拟合抗氧化与酚酸、总黄酮的函数方程。结果表明:抗氧化活性与主要抗氧化物质(酚酸和黄酮)的函数关系为Z=-137.743 2-0.918 2 X2+0.211 2Y2-0.422 9 XY+52.843 5 X+2.229 9Y。当总黄酮在6～26mg/100g时,总黄酮、酚酸的量对总抗氧化活性有促进作用;而在27～54mg/100g范围内,总黄酮和酚酸的含量对总抗氧化能力具有一定的抑制作用。     

Determination of some individual phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of mead produced from different types of honey

The aim of this study was to promote mead (honey wine) production by testing the appropriateness of different honey varieties which were obtained from the flora of Turkey for the production of mead. Cotton‐Mezda (Gossypium spp.), pine (Pinus spp.) and flower honeys were used in the fermentation studies. Pure culture Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts were used in the mead studies. While determining the phenolic contents of meads via HPLC method, five phenolic acids and two flavonoids were used as standards with known antioxidant properties. In addition, total antioxidant activity was analysed in meads using trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). Among the phenolic acids, the most abundant one was protocatechuic acid (75.12–179.03 μg/L) and among flavonoids it was catechin (10.38–125.55 μg/L). It was found out that total phenolic content ranged from 103.56 GAE to 167.89 GAE mg/L. Copyright © 2017 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Investigating the impact of botanical origin and harvesting period on carbon stable isotope ratio values (13C/12C) and different parameter analysis of Greek unifloral honeys: A chemometric approach for correct botanical discrimination

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of botanical origin and harvesting period on carbon stable isotope ratio (¹³C/¹²C), colour intensity (CI), radical scavenging activity (%RSA), P and Sn content of Greek unifloral honeys. Thus, twenty‐four honey samples were collected during harvesting periods 2011–2012 and 2012–2013, from four different regions in Greece. ¹³C/¹²C ratios and minerals were determined using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and inductively coupled plasma optical–emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES), respectively. CI and %RSA were measured using spectrophotometric assays. Results showed that only ¹³C/¹²C values and %RSA were affected by both botanical origin and harvesting period (P < 0.05). Applying then chemometric analyses to the collected data set, honeys were correctly classified according to honey type (correct classification rate 87.5% and 79.2% using the original and cross‐validation method, respectively). The use of different origin parameters has the potential to aid in honey authentication.     

Quality parameters and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of some Mexican honeys

A total of 14 Mexican honeys were screened for quality parameters including color, moisture, proline, and acidity. Antioxidant properties of complete honey and its methanolic extracts were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of complete honeys against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876, Listeria monocytogenes Scott A, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Sthapylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 was determined. Most of honeys analyzed showed values within quality parameters established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2001. Eucalyptus flower honey and orange blossom honey showed the highest phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity. Bell flower, orange blossom, and eucalyptus flower honeys inhibited the growth of the 4 evaluated microorganisms. The remaining honeys affected at least 1 of the estimated growth parameters (increased lag phase, decreased growth rate, and/or maximum population density). Microorganism sensitivity to the antimicrobial activity of honeys followed the order B. cereus > L. monocytogenes > Salmonella Typhimurium > S. aureus. The monofloral honey samples from orange blossoms, and eucalyptus flowers demonstrated to be good sources of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds. All the Mexican honey samples examined proved to be good sources of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents that might serve to maintain health and protect against several diseases. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of the study showed that Mexican honeys display good quality parameters and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Mexican honey can be used as an additive in the food industry to increase the nutraceutical value of products.     

Characterization of monofloral honeys with multivariate analysis of their chemical profile and antioxidant activity

Abstract: Various bioactive chemical constituents were quantified for 21 honey samples obtained at Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, Brazil. To evaluate their antioxidant activity, 3 different methods were used: the ferric reducing antioxidant power, the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity, and the 2,2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazolin)‐6‐sulfonate (ABTS) assays. Correlations between the parameters were statistically significant (?0.6684 ≤ r ≤?0.8410, P < 0.05). Principal component analysis showed that honey samples from the same floral origins had more similar profiles, which made it possible to group the eucalyptus, morrão de candeia, and cambara honey samples in 3 distinct areas, while cluster analysis could separate the artificial honey from the floral honeys. Practical Application: This research might aid in the discrimination of honey floral origin, by using simple analytical methods in association with multivariate analysis, which could also show a great difference among floral honeys and artificial honey, indicating a possible way to help with the identification of artificial honeys.