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Main kinds of Bulgarian bee honeys from 2000 to present
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More than 3600 varieties of higher plants are found in Bulgaria, which is a good predisposition for the production of different
types of bee honey. In the country 11 natural and 3 national parks were registered, where many different kinds of plants can be
found, some of them unique in the world. Up till now, more than 11 types of bee honey have bee...
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The pollen which contents of eleven samples of honey from different localities of the province Ardahan, (Northeast Anatolia) are examined. The examples have the pollen grains of 23 different taxa from 13 families. The number 2 have the most abundant pollen content (7890 pollen grains; 20.07 %); the number 4 (6480 pollen grains; 16.51%), and the num...
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... This means that, regarding trade relations, honey production is an important part of the gross domestic product of Bulgaria. The bee honey produced in Bulgaria is mainly monofloral (e.g., from rapeseed, sunflower, thistle, linden, acacia, or coriander plants) [30]. The monofloral origin of the honey determines its higher price. ...
A new approach for the botanical origin determination of monofloral bee honey is developed. The methodology combines mineral content and physicochemical parameters determination with intelligent statistics such as self-organizing maps (SOMs). A total of 62 monofloral bee honey samples were analysed, including 31 linden, 14 rapeseed, 13 sunflower, and 4 acacia. All of them were harvested in 2018 and 2019 from trusted beekeepers, after confirming their botanical origin, using melissopalynological analysis. Nine physicochemical parameters were determined, including colour, water content, pH, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, diastase activity, specific optical rotation, invertase activity, and proline. The content of thirty chemical elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, In, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, Te, V, and Zn) was measured using ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and FAAS as instrumental techniques. The visualisation of the SOMs shows an excellent separation of honey samples in five well-defined clusters—linden, rapeseed, acacia, sunflower, and polyfloral honey—using the following set of 16 descriptors: diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, invertase activity, pH, specific optical rotation, water content, Al, B, Cr, Cs, K, Na, Ni, Rb, V, and Zn.
... Another important parameter that defines the quality of honey is certainly hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF (26). Variations in the chemical composition of sunflower honey are not infrequent, so the author Dinkov (2014) (27), exploring honey from the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria, notes that variations in the chemical composition of sunflower honey are the most common, be it changes in water content (33.33%). total acidity (6.67%), reducing sugars, sucrose or diastase activity. ...
The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical parameters of quality, microbiological safety and antimicrobial potential of four samples of organic sunflower honey from the Banat area (northeastern Serbia). Humidity, ash, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, sugar content and diastase activity were measured. Microbiological analysis revealed the presence of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, aerobic endospores, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and a good number of molds and yeasts. The isolate identification was carried out using Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The antimicrobial effect of organic sunflower honey was investigated on five ATCC strains of bacteria: Staphilococcusaureus ATCC 29213; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; Salmonella enterica ATCC 10708; Yersinia enterocolitica ATCC 23715; and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 23857. The results of the study showed that all honey samples meet international quality standards for all physicochemical parameters. Microbiological analysis of Sunflower honey confirmed the total bacterial counts for all samples ranged from1.80 to 1.85 x10-2cfu/g-1, whereby no presence Clostridium spp., coliform bacteria, as well as molds was detected. Investigation of the antimicrobial activity of honey samples revealed that all bacteria showed clear zones of inhibition in honey concentrations of 40-100%, which is a satisfactory result for flower honey.
... Based on the data from available literature in 2014 was summarized the scientific information related to the main types of bee honey in Bulgaria from 2000 to the present. In the study from 2014 were present quality parameters from organically produced and commercially processed bee honeys: pollen analysis, proline content, invertase activity, specifi c optical rotation, electrical conductivity, antioxidant and antibacterial activities [9]. ...
In short review were summarized a recent data for in vitro antibacterial activity and perspectives for immunological studies in aspects of investigations for specific antibacterial activity substances in mixes between royal jelly [RJ] and some kinds of bee honey. This could be important for future development of effective therapeutic agents for therapy of intestinal and skin hospital infections with case agents resistant for antibacterial substances Escherichia (E.) coli, Aeromonas (A.) hydrophila and Staphylococcus (S.) aureus.
Keywords: Royal jelly, Bee honey, Antibacterial activity.
... Multifloral honeys contain nectar from several botanic taxa (Borsato, Vargas, Koop, Farago, & Almeida, 2010) and contain a wide variety of B vitamins and vitamin C, enzymes (invertase, catalase, and amylase), organic acids (lactic acid and gluconic acid) and minerals (iron, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus) (Dinkov, 2014). Melissopalinology, the study of pollen contained in honey and, in particular, the source of the pollen, has been used widely to determine the floral origins of honey because it is a relatively simple, low-cost method (Moreira & De Maria, 2001;Barth, 2004;Von der Ohe, Persano Oddo, Piana, Morlot, & Martin, 2004). ...
Throughout the long period of human history, mushrooms played a very important role in some societies, where they were used as a highly appreciated food and medicine and as a psychoactive substances in some religious rites. As extremely healthy and nutritious foodstuffs, low in calories, fats, and essential fatty acids, and on the other hand high in vegetable proteins, vitamins, and minerals, mushrooms are recommended and desirable in our daily diet. Most people prefer to eat them fresh due to much more attractive flavor and texture, which rarely can be compared to that of processed mushrooms. However, mushrooms are highly perishable foods, subject to extremely rapid microbiologic and biochemical changes. In an effort to extend their shelf life and thus make them available to more people, over a longer period, several preserving methods have been developed.
... In some parts of the country (Strandzha, Region of Haskovo, Stara Zagora, Smolyan etc.), the once rarely encountered honeydew honey is more frequently seen. Often, some monofloral honey types are mixed with honeydew honey (Dinkov, 2014). ...
The article describes a new proposal for quantitative melissopalynological analysis of pollen grains in 10 g bee honey, using a Bürker chamber for peripheral white blood cells counting. The research related to the development of the method and its algorithm are presented. Further investigations in certified laboratories are required to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of the method for “under-represented”, “normal-represented” and “overrepresented” bee honeys.Available on line: http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my/ifrj-2015-22-issue-4.html.ISSN 22317546 (Online), ISSN 19854668 (Print)
Physicochemical properties of 27 sunflower honey samples from Bulgaria were investigated. The botanical origin of the samples was ascertained by pollen analysis. The honey samples displayed relative frequencies of Helianthus annuus L. pollen up to 41%. The ranges for water content (15.60–19.30%), reducing sugars (72.51–80.80%), sucrose (0.50–3.70%), diastase (9.00–20.80 Gothe units), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), (0.69–12.40 mg/kg), total acidity (17.70–36.00 meq/kg), electrical conductivity (0.23–0.48 mS/cm), proline (218.50 – 679.50 mg/kg), specific rotation (-20.20–(-12.30)) [α]D20 were obtained. The results obtained also suggest that these honey samples are of good quality. The results are in agreement with standards of quality established by national and international regulations. Significant moderate correlation between electrical conductivity and specific rotation was found (r=0.582, p<0.05).
ABSTRACT
The main 3 objectives of the present study were: 1) investigations on bee honey quality, 2) flower bee pollen quality and safety and 3) antibacterial activities of different kinds of bee honey, propolis, royal jelly and royal jelly and rape honey (1:100) mix against microorganisms with importance to human and animal health.
1) From 2000 to 2016 in Bulgaria more than 11 kinds of bee honey were harvested and investigated. Available sources specifying the requirements for organically produced honey lack specific details related to the processing, storage and sales of the product. The thesis proposed more specific requirements to processing and storage conditions, and shelf life of this unique food product with regard to preservation of its natural physical, chemical, organoleptic and antibacterial quality traits. A modified technique for quantitative melissopalynological analysis of pollen grains in 10 g bee honey is described
2) It is known that bees and bee pollen are bioindicators of environmental anthropogenic pollution. The aim of the survey from 2014 was to evaluate the water content and total mineral content of fresh and dried bee pollen originating from different regions in Bulgaria. With respect to a more precise technological processing, an initial drying followed by laboratory analysis of water content of dried pollen is recommended. The high total mineral content of fresh pollen was possibly due to more mechanical contaminations (parts of plants, bees etc.). The total mineral content of studied dried pollen was compliant to criteria set in the national legislation and was comparable to reports from Brazil – 2.2%, Columbia – 2.5±0.4%, yet lower than Thailand pollen – 3.96±0.08%. With respect to product safety, laboratory analysis of Pb and Cd content of dried bee pollen is recommended. Contamination with microorganisms from Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families in flower bee pollen after one- and two-year vacuum-packed cold storage was found out. With respect to product safety, laboratory analysis and species-level differentiation of Еnterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae isolates obtained from fresh and dried flower bee pollen is recommended
3) The Royal jelly (RJ), RJ and rape honey (HJ), rape (RH) and oak honeydew honey (HH) at concentrations of 10 to 45% were contaminated with 50 to 100 CFU/ml Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). After plating onto ChromoCult® TBX agar up to 30 min from contamination and enrichment in Tryptic soy broth (TSB) at 37°C for 24 h, no visible colonies were present. These concentrations were defined as real bactericidal concentrations (RBC). Mixes from royal jelly and rape honey (1:100) possessed a higher antibacterial effect, compared to of rape honey alone. Royal jelly and royal jelly and rape honey (1:100) mixes have potential as alternative therapeutics agents against pathogenic E. coli strains, resistant to antibiotics. The con¬centrations of royal jelly (10, 20, and 30%) exhibited a total inhibitory effect against A. hydrophila (ATCC 7965). The aim of the study was also to investigate the in vitro antibacterial effect of royal jelly (RJ), rape honey (RH), and their mixtures (RJ:RH, 1:100 w/w) against MRSA strains. Royal jelly and rape honey mixture possessed a higher antibacterial activity than rape honey. The concentrations of royal jelly (20 and 30% v/v) had a total inhibitory effect against tested MRSA strains. The 20, 30 and 40% v/v concentrations of royal jelly had a total inhibitory effect against C. albicans (ATCC 1023).
It is proposed interpreting royal jelly, oak honeydew and rape honey concentrations, royal jelly and rape honey (1:100 w/w) combinations or propolis ethanolic extract concentrations as REAL BACTERICIDAL CONCENTRATIONS (RBC) when the 24-hour and 48-hour incubations in enrichment broths specific for respective bacteria and subcultivation on selective nutrient media resulted in lack of a single colony (0 CFU/ml or 100% inhibition).
Key words: bee products, organic, bee pollen, quality snd safety, antibacterial activity, propolis, oak honeydew honey, rape honey, royal jelly, royal jelly and rape honey (1:100 w/w)
Background: vegetative diversity is based on different climate and geographical origins. In terms of beekeeping, herbal diversity is strongly correlated to the production of a wide variety of honey. Therefore, based on the existing plant diversity in each country, multiple honey varieties are produced with different health characteristics. While beekeeping potential and consumption preferences are reflected in products’ variety, this leads to an increase in the region’s economy and extensive export. In the last years, monofloral honey has gained interest from consumers and especially in the medicinal field due to the presence of phytochemicals which are directly linked to health benefits, wound healing, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Scope and approach: this review aims to highlight the physicochemical properties, mineral profiles and antioxidant activities of selected monofloral honeys based on their botanical and geographical origin. Moreover, this review focuses on the intercorrelation between monofloral honey’s antioxidant compounds and in vitro and in vivo activities, focusing on the apoptosis and cell proliferation inhibition in various cell lines, with a final usage of honey as a potential therapeutic product in the fight towards reducing tumor growth. Key findings and conclusions: multiple studies have demonstrated that monofloral honeys have different physicochemical structures and bioactive compounds. Useful chemical markers to distinguish between monofloral honeys were evidenced, such as: 2-methoxybenzoic acid and trimethoxybenzoic acid are distinctive to Manuka honey while 4-methoxyphenylacetic acid is characteristic to Kanuka honey. Furthermore, resveratrol, epigallocatechin and pinostrobin are markers distinct to Sage honey, whereas carvacrol and thymol are found in Ziziphus honey. Due to their polyphenolic profile, monofloral honeys have significant antioxidant activity, as well as antidiabetic, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. It was demonstrated that Pine honey decreased the MDA and TBARS levels in liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues, whereas Malicia honey reduced the low-density lipoprotein level. Consumption of Clover, Acacia and Gelam honeys reduced the weight and adiposity, as well as trygliceride levels. Furthermore, the antiproliferative effect of chrysin, a natural flavone in Acacia honey, was demonstrated in human (A375) and murine (B16-F1) melanoma cell lines, whereas caffeic acid, a phenolic compound found in Kelulut honey, proves to be significant candidate in the chemoprevention of colon cancer. Based on these features, the use of hiney in the medicinal field (apitherapy), and the widespread usage of natural product consumption, is gaining interest by each year.
The present study was undertaken to determine the physico-chemical properties (moisture content, reducing sugars, proline content, electrical conductivity, ash content, pH, titrable acidity, HMF, water activity, total soluble solids and total solids), enzymatic activity (diastase and invertase), color characteristics (mmpfund, ABS450 and CIE L*a* b*) and mineral content (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Pb and Cd) of three different varieties of honeys from Kashmir valley of India (acacia honey, pine honeydew and multifloral honey). Of the honey samples analyzed, only pine honeydew were grouped in dark category of honey (L* <50) while acacia honey and multifloral honey were confirmed as light colored honeys (L* >50) and possessed both red and yellow components. The concentrations of mineral content were found highest in pine honeydew followed by multi floral and least in acacia honey. All the physico-chemical properties and enzymatic activity indicated that all the three analyzed varieties of honey met the criteria set by the International Honey Commission and revised codex standards for honey. The source of honey had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on physico-chemical characteristics, enzymatic activity, mineral content and color properties. Strong and positive correlations exhibited among minerals, color (mmpfund) and L* value indicated that dark colored honey contained high mineral content. Multivariate analysis proved to be an effective tool in classifying the three varieties of honey based on physico-chemical characteristics, enzymatic activity, mineral content and color properties.
