Honey is a natural sweetener constituted by numerous macro- and micronutrients. Carbohydrates are the most representative, with glucose and fructose being the most abundant. Minor honey components like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), minerals, vitamins, amino acids are able to confer honey-specific properties and are useful to characterize and differentiate between honey varieties according to the botanical origin. The present work describes the chemical characterization of honeys of different botanical origin (multifloral, acacia, apple-dandelion, rhododendron, honeydew, and chestnut) produced and collected by beekeepers in the Trentino Alto-Adige region (Italy). Melissopalynological analysis was conducted to verify the botanical origin of samples and determine the frequency of different pollen families. The carbohydrate composition (fourteen sugars) and the profile of VOCs were evaluated permitting to investigate the relationship between pollen composition and the chemical profile of honey. Statistical analysis, particularly partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), demonstrates the importance of classifying honey botanical origin on the basis of effective pollen composition, which directly influences honey's biochemistry, in order to correctly define properties and value of honeys.

Tedesco, R.; Scalabrin, E.; Malagnini, V.; Strojnik, L.; Ogrinc, N.; Capodaglio, G. (2022-08-13). Characterization of botanical origin of Italian honey by carbohydrate composition and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). FOODS, 11 (16): 2441. doi: 10.3390/foods11162441 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/76836

Characterization of botanical origin of Italian honey by carbohydrate composition and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Tedesco, Raffaello
Primo
;
Malagnini, Valeria;
2022-08-13

Abstract

Honey is a natural sweetener constituted by numerous macro- and micronutrients. Carbohydrates are the most representative, with glucose and fructose being the most abundant. Minor honey components like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), minerals, vitamins, amino acids are able to confer honey-specific properties and are useful to characterize and differentiate between honey varieties according to the botanical origin. The present work describes the chemical characterization of honeys of different botanical origin (multifloral, acacia, apple-dandelion, rhododendron, honeydew, and chestnut) produced and collected by beekeepers in the Trentino Alto-Adige region (Italy). Melissopalynological analysis was conducted to verify the botanical origin of samples and determine the frequency of different pollen families. The carbohydrate composition (fourteen sugars) and the profile of VOCs were evaluated permitting to investigate the relationship between pollen composition and the chemical profile of honey. Statistical analysis, particularly partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), demonstrates the importance of classifying honey botanical origin on the basis of effective pollen composition, which directly influences honey's biochemistry, in order to correctly define properties and value of honeys.
Italian honey
PLS-DA
Apple–dandelion
Carbohydrates
Melissopalynological analysis
Settore CHIM/10 - CHIMICA DEGLI ALIMENTI
13-ago-2022
Tedesco, R.; Scalabrin, E.; Malagnini, V.; Strojnik, L.; Ogrinc, N.; Capodaglio, G. (2022-08-13). Characterization of botanical origin of Italian honey by carbohydrate composition and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). FOODS, 11 (16): 2441. doi: 10.3390/foods11162441 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/76836
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2022 F Malagnini.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (Publisher’s layout)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 2.95 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.95 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/76836
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 0
  • Scopus 8
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 7
social impact