The Correlation of Plant Species and Geographical Regions on Biological Component and Antioxidant Potential of Different Honey

Abstract

Honey has various attributes according to its plant origin and production area. The aim of present study is to investigate physicochemical and biological functions of astragalus and thyme honey in Damavand and Izeh regions. Honey identification was analyzed on base of their physicochemical activities such as water content, ash, total solids, total soluble solids, pH, acidity, total sugar, reducing sugar, sucrose, fructose to glucose ratio, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), viscosity, total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant behavior. The results of tests such as moisture content (16.16 to 19.08 %), ash (0.49 to 0.59 %), total solids (80.93 to 83.85 %), total soluble solids (80.25 to 81.74 %), pH (4.20 to 4.66), acidity (21.80 to 23.14 mEq / kg), total sugar (72.74 to 73.63 %), reducing sugar (69.26 to 73.07 %), sucrose (0.50 to 3.48 %), fructose to glucose ratio (1.06 to 1.31 %), diastase activity (8.63 to 10.13 DN), HMF (4.7 to 11.06 mg / kg), viscosity (21940 to 24705 cP), total phenolic compounds (23.96 to 30.03 mg gallic acid / 100 g honey), flavonoids (12.31 to 17.24 mg catechin / 100 g honey) and antioxidant activity (44.96 to 52.89 %) were determined. The results of simple correlation analysis illustrated parallel, positive and very strong relationship between 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl and ash attributes, total phenolic compounds, total sugar, fructose to glucose ratio and also flavonoids.