Physicochemical Characterization of Organic Honeys Harvested in the North West Algerian Area

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1421-1430
Author(s):  
Zidane Djelloul ◽  
Sid-Ahmed Benaoula ◽  
Abdeldjalil Daioui ◽  
Mohammed Z.E. El Mahi ◽  
Boumedien Meddah ◽  
...  

Background: Consumers have become aware that the industrial methods of honey production have greatly affected the environment and product quality. Today, they want a reorientation of these production modes to obtain healthy and natural organic products. Objective: This study is conducted to evaluate, for the first time in Algeria, the physicochemical composition of organic honey’s harvest in the organic- North West Algerian area. Methods: Twenty-four samples of organic honey were harvested according to the organic beekeeping rules, by selected volunteer beekeepers in organic regions and hives, and then, they were extracted by the traditional method. Physicochemical parameters, such as pH, free acidity, density, electrical conductivity, diastase activity, carbohydrates, hydroxyl methyl furfural (HMF), water content, ash, color intensity and specific optical rotation were evaluated. Results: Mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: pH as 3-4.8, electrical conductivity as 0.123-1.180 mS/cm, free acid as 8-30 mEq/kg, diastase activity as 8.02-40.54 (Shade units), carbohydrates as 60.21-77.07%, sucrose as 1.04-8.97%, HMF quality as 4.67-27.63 mg/kg, water content as 14.2-19.0%, ash as 0.09-0.86%, color intensity ABS450 as 288-1467 mAU, color intensity (Pfund scale) as 0.30-137.34 mm and specific optical rotation at (-16.1)-(-3.8). The analysis indicated that organic honey samples grown in selected sites of our local area are of good quality. All of the obtained values were within the limits imposed by the present legislation (Codex Alimentarius). Conclusion: Analyzed honey samples are characterized as biological products of excellent quality with interesting nutritional properties.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 7219
Author(s):  
Tsvetomil Voyslavov ◽  
Elisaveta Mladenova ◽  
Ralitsa Balkanska

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.


Resources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Mokhtar Guerzou ◽  
Hani Amir Aouissi ◽  
Ahlem Guerzou ◽  
Juris Burlakovs ◽  
Salaheddine Doumandji ◽  
...  

In this study, the authors aimed at characterizing 11 Algerian kinds of honey taken from various geographical locations (beehives located at Djelfa (Medjbara and Dzaira), Laghouat, Aflou, Medea, Tiaret, Sidi bel-Abbes, Tiaret, Ain-Safra, Mostaganem, El Bayadh, and Ghardïa). The authors investigated the physicochemical parameters of these honey samples, including density, water content, electrical conductivity, ash content, pH, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, free acidity, and color. The physicochemical parameters obtained were found to be within acceptable ranges according to the international standards (Codex Alimentarius) for 9 out of 11 analyzed samples: density 1.38–1.50 g/cm3 (the same as kg/L, as commonly used for honey), water content 14.03–18.80%, electrical conductivity 0.38 × 10−1 − 6.41 × 10−1 mS/cm, ash content 0.06–0.48%, pH 3.50–4.50, free acidity 11–47 meq/kg, and color 1.1–9.2 Pfund index. Analysis of HMF content showed that only two honey samples have high values (117.7 and 90.0 meq/kg). Most samples of Algerian honey are of suitable quality according to international standards.


2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Slavica Grujić ◽  
Jasmin Komić

Characterisation of commercial honeys is a hard task initiated in response to consumers’ demands. They demand basic quality level and determination of geographical and botanical origin. During processing and bottling of honey, there is a possibility of mixing honeys from various origins and quality. The processing could cause honey alterations that can affect the properties and quality, due to the adulteration of high quality honey types with a lower price natural honey. Control of honey requires determination of parameters that could unequivocally establish origin and improve honey characterisation. Nineteen physicochemical parameters (water content, ash, content of Zn, Cd, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mg, K, Na, refraction index, density, electrical conductivity, pH, free-acidity, percentage of total sugars, fructose and glucose, and sucrose) were analyzed in 194 samples of 7 nectar honey types (Amorpha, Black Locust, Black Locust and Multifloral, Chestnut, Chestnut and Multifloral, Bast-small-leaved lime and White Linden, Multifloral) from three geographical regions of the North-West Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of the study was to find which physicochemical parameters correlated to the geographical origin of the honey. After applying the one-way analysis of variance - ANOVA statistical comparison of analytically measured physicochemical parameters for a given honey types and Turkey’s Multiple Comparison HSD Test, the results showed that the content of ash, Cd, Mn, Mg, K, pH and electrical conductivity was useful for discriminating honeys from three geographical regions of the North-West Bosnia and Herzegovina.


Author(s):  
Tijana Brčina ◽  
Lejla Halilčević ◽  
Ramzija Cvrk

The study aimed to examine the quality of honey from the Middle Podrinje area (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The research included a total of 21 samples of honey from the Middle Podrinje area: 12 samples of honey florals (municipalities of Srebrenica and Milići), 9 samples of acacia honey (municipalities of Zvornik and Bratunac). Physico-chemical parameters were determined as the main composition criteria for quality assessment in honey samples: mass fraction of water, total acidity, electrical conductivity, and ash. Samples of honey florals are of poorer quality compared to acacia honey, two samples had values of water content and acidity above the values prescribed by the Regulation. Statistical analysis showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the arithmetic means of the water content for floral honey, the electrical conductivity of acacia honey, and the free acid content for both types of honey. Honey samples that met the criteria prescribed by the Regulation were sensory evaluated by experienced analysts. Two samples of floral honey that did not meet the criteria prescribed by the Regulation were not sensory evaluated. Based on sensory analysis, samples of floral honey from the municipality of Milići had better sensory characteristics compared to the same type of honey from the municipality of Srebrenica. Acacia honey from the municipality of Zvornik was rated better than honey from the municipality of Bratunac.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anélia Petit ◽  
Adrian Cerepi ◽  
Corinne Loisy ◽  
Olivier Le Roux ◽  
Léna Rossi ◽  
...  

<p>This work is part of the Aquifer CO<sub>2</sub>-Leak project, started in 2018 for a 4-years duration and that aims at evaluating the impact of CO<sub>2</sub> leakages from a geological storage site and developing new monitoring tools and methodologies. The present study aims to understand, quantify and model the environmental impact of a CO<sub>2</sub> leak on water quality in the carbonate freshwater aquifer and understanding CO<sub>2</sub>-water-carbonate interactions.</p><p>This research has been performed on an experimental site located in Saint-Emilion (Gironde, France), in an underground quarry within a 30-meter-thick carbonate formation dated to the Upper Oligocene. The facies vary from wackestone to grainstone, and are associated with high values of porosity (from 25 to 45%) and permeability (between 5 and 20 D). A gas mixture, composed of CO<sub>2</sub> (90%), He (9%) and Kr (1%), was injected in the aquifer through a borehole located upstream hydraulic gradient. The total injected volume was 200 liters for 1h30.</p><p>The seven other boreholes downstream in the injection well were fitted with in-situ probes which automatically measured pH, electrical conductivity, and CO<sub>2</sub> fraction. Periodic water samplings have been undertaken, to determine the elementary concentrations by ionic chromatography. The spread of dissolved CO<sub>2</sub> in the freshwater aquifer has influenced the physicochemical parameters at the various measurement points and thus has been followed in the time.</p><p>The interaction between the CO<sub>2</sub> and the limestones causes the dissolution of the calcite, releasing Ca<sup>2+</sup> and CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup> in the solution, which are distributed between H<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>, HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> and CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>. The comparison of the results before and after the passage of the plume highlights a dissolved CO<sub>2</sub> concentration increase, combined with an increase of electrical conductivity and temperature, as well as a decrease in pH values.</p><p>The evolution of the physicogeochemical signature in the aquifer allow to understand the reactive and transport processes during a migration of a CO<sub>2</sub> plume in a leakage context. The acquisition of these results will make possible to model a leakage in a complex natural reservoir.  Electrical conductivity and pH measurements seem to be excellent indicators for monitoring a gas plume during CO<sub>2</sub> geological storage. The laboratory analyzes lead to better understand the CO<sub>2</sub>-water-carbonate interactions produced at the field scale and the relationships with petrophysical properties.</p><p>Batch measurements study the evolution of the electrical conductivity, monitored as a function of the CO<sub>2 </sub>concentrations. Comparison of experiments using only water, water and sand or water and limestone, have shown that only the presence of carbonate ions allows an increase in this geophysical parameter.</p><p> </p><p>By means of these different tools and measures, the propagation of a CO<sub>2 </sub>leak will be followed through the modification of physicochemical parameters in the aquifer. This should also change the electrical resistivity values across the unsaturated zone. The electrical resistivity tomography should be a complementary tool in order to support these results, and to represent a 3D image plus time of the CO<sub>2</sub> plume.</p>


Author(s):  
Nadia Amessis-Ouchemoukh ◽  
Nacera Maouche ◽  
Amar Otmani ◽  
Anass Terrab ◽  
Khodir Madani ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Honey is a vegetable and animal product which comes from nectar and / or honeydew. It is used in different nutritional and therapeutic fields. OBJECTIVE: Melissopalynology and physicochemical analysis of Algerian honeys, determination of their phenolic compounds and authenticity parameters and the evaluation of their antioxidant properties. METHODS: Twenty Algerians honey were studied for their physicochemical parameters (moisture, pH, proteins, proline, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, color, electrical conductivity, and optical rotation), floral origin and phenolic compounds contents. Antioxidant activities were tested too. RESULTS: Melissopalynologycal analyses revealed that the studied honeys were twelve multifloral, seven Fabaceae, and one Myrtaceae. All honeys were acidic (3.65≤pH≤4.35) and most of them were low in moisture content. The electrical conductivity varied between 0.29 mS/cm and 1.78 mS/cm. Ash, protein and proline contents results showed that the majority of honeys were in agreement with the legislation and were authentic. The color varied from mimosa yellow to dark brown. The specific rotation was levorotatory in most honey samples and the hydroxymethylfurfural values (from 1.5 mg/kg to 34.73 mg/kg) agreed with the international requirements. Honeys were rich in total phenolic compounds, 22.41 (Honey11) to 96.16 (Honey15)  mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g, and flavonoids, 8.90 (Honey11) to 80.02 (Honey 02) mg quercetin equivalents/100 g. Honey samples 15,03, 05, 01, and 06 exerted more than 50% reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radicals and were able to reduce iron while honey samples 12, 18, 19, 14, and 11chelate efficiently iron. High significant correlations between physicochemical parameters and antioxidant activities were found. CONCLUSION: The Algerian honeys analyzed were authentic and variations in their quality parameters and phenolics composition were directly associated with their demonstrated antioxidant properties.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nenad Popov ◽  
Milica Živkov Baloš ◽  
Sandra Jakšić ◽  
Vladimir Polaček

Abstract: Five physicochemical parameters (water content, electrical conductivity, total acidity (pH), ash mass fraction and concentration of free acids) were analyzed in 15 sunflower honeys collected from several localities in Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia. The mean values of analyzed honeys were: water content 16.87%; concentration of free acids 27.43 mEq/kg; electrical conductivity 0.34 mS/cm; pH 3.64. The selected physicochemical characteristics of all honey samples from Serbia analyzed in this research can be considered to be within the parameters expected for sunflower honey in general. The values for ash mass fraction, electrical conductivity and concentration of free acids in all sunflower honey samples showed similar trends. High correlation was established between electrical conductivity and ash mass fraction. Statistically significant difference at p≤0.05 (p=0.017) was established only for average values of free acids concentration between honey samples originating from the localities Kanjiža and Čelarevo. All of the analyzed honeys were found to meet national and European legislation for all investigated parameters. Therefore, further research on physicochemical properties of sunflower honey is required to confirm the quality and authenticity of this product and for better understanding the benefits of this honey.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Milica Živkov-Baloš ◽  
Sandra Jakšić ◽  
Nenad Popov ◽  
Vladimir Polaček

Five physicochemical parameters (water content, electrical conductivity, total acidity (pH), ash mass fraction and concentration of free acids) were analyzed in 15 sunflower honeys collected from several localities in Vojvodina, Serbia. The mean values of analyzed honeys were: water content 16.87%; concentration of free acids 27.43 mEq/kg; electrical conductivity 0.34 mS/cm; pH 3.64 and ash mass fraction 0.13%. The selected physicochemical characteristics of all honey samples from Serbia analyzed in this research can be considered to be within the parameters expected for sunflower honey in general. The values for ash mass fraction, electrical conductivity and concentration of free acids in all sunflower honey samples showed similar trends. High correlation was established between electrical conductivity and ash mass fraction. Statistically significant difference (p≤0.05) was established only for average values of free acids concentration between honey samples originating from the localities Kanjiža and Čelarevo. All of the analyzed honey samples were found to meet national and European legislation for investigated parameters


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