Selected Characteristics of Multifloral Honeys from North-Eastern Romania

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate some characteristics (moisture, total solid substances, specific gravity, pH, FA, ash, electrical conductivity, TPC and TFC, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and lead) of fifteen multifloral honey samples. The quality of the investigated honey was confirmed by the obtained results: moisture, FA, and EC values were below the limit value regulated by the legislation. The average content of total polyphenols and total flavonoids of 29.91 mg GAE/100 g and 2.13 mg QE/100 g confirm the antioxidant properties of honey. Determination of minerals showed that potassium (101.4–1212.6 mg kg−1) was the most abundant mineral in honey, followed by sodium (40.7–302.3 mg kg−1) and calcium (41.8–230.9 mg kg−1). Lead was found in two samples, with a content under the limit stipulation by legislation; nickel was found in one sample of 0.10 mg kg−1, and the content of cobalt was below the detection limit. Significant correlations (p < 0.001) were observed between mm Pfund and electrical conductivity, TPC, TFC, P, Ca, and Zn; strong correlations (p < 0.001) were between electrical conductivity with Ash, TPC, TFC, K, and P. FTIR analysis confirmed the differences obtained by analyzing multifloral honey samples.