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Characterization of Portuguese honey from Castelo Branco region according to their pollen spectrum, physicochemical characteristics and mineral contents

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Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of 16 honey samples from Castelo Branco region (Portugal). Twelve are monofloral from Calluna vulgaris, Erica, Lavandula, Echium and Campanula. The mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: 3.82 pH; 16.80% moisture; 81.6°Brix; 0.21% ash; 357.6 μS cm−1 electrical conductivity; 33.7 meq/kg free acidity; 5.7 meq/kg lactonic acidity; 39.3 meq/kg total acidity; 9.11 mg/kg HMF; 21.3 IN invertase and 9.0° Gothe for diastase activities. The results indicate a good quality, adequate processing, good maturity and freshness of honey. Additionally, the determination of mineral contents revealed that the K was the major element. Mean values obtained were (mg/kg): Ca, 28.36; K, 701.87; Mg, 74.00; Na, 31.04; Fe, 097; Cu, 0.65; Zn, 1.23; Mn, 2.78 and P, 48.80. Among the overall determined parameters, CB2 stands out by its high values in minerals, pH, moisture, ash, electrical conductivity and enzyme activity.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by FEDER funds through the POCI—COMPETE 2020—Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalisation in Axis I—Strengthening research, technological development and innovation (Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007491) and National Funds by FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology (Project UID/Multi/00709/2013). Luís R. Silva (SFRH/BPD/105263/2014) was supported by post doc grants from FCT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6201-506, Covilhã, Portugal

    Luís R. Silva & Adriana Sousa

  2. Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, Escola Superior de Saúde Dr. Lopes Dias, Avenida do Empresário, Campus da Talagueira, 6000-767, Castelo Branco, Portugal

    Luís R. Silva, Adriana Sousa & Marcos Taveira

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  1. Luís R. Silva
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  2. Adriana Sousa
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  3. Marcos Taveira
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Correspondence to Luís R. Silva.

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Silva, L.R., Sousa, A. & Taveira, M. Characterization of Portuguese honey from Castelo Branco region according to their pollen spectrum, physicochemical characteristics and mineral contents. J Food Sci Technol 54, 2551–2561 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-017-2700-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-017-2700-y

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