Unifloral honeys of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentine

MALACALZA, N. H.; CACCAVARI, M. A.; FAGÚNDEZ, G. A. & LUPANO, C. E.

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Society of Chemical Industry

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2005 vol. 85 p. 1389 - 1396

0022-5142

Samples of 63 unifloral honeys of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Eucalyptus spp., Lotus spp., Helianthus annuus, Melilotus albus, Brassicaceae, clovers other than Lotus and Melilotus, and Sagittaria montevidensis, were obtained by cold extraction at the laboratory. The frequencies of occurrence of pollen types, and the moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, acidity and praline contents were determined. Electrical conductivity, pH and colour were also analysed. Honey presented a high percentage (about 40%) of unifloral honey. The most frequent unifloral honeys were from Eucalyptus spp., Lotus spp. and Helianthus annuus. Samples had a low pollen diversity with six to 19 pollen types, the most important nectariferous taxa being those that characterized the unifloral honeys. All samples presented moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash and free acidity contents according to international standards. The colour of the hone was from water white to light amber, and all samples had a very low ash content. Significant differences al the 5% level in the hydroxymethylfurfural content, electrical conductivity, colour and praline content were observed among honeys from different floral origins. However, a ligh variability between samples from the same floral origin was observed, indicating that other factors such as accompanying pollen and geographical origin affect the physicochemical characteristics of honey.