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Chemometric support for the botanical discrimination of honey from Northwest Spain: mineral composition and
Olga Escuredo1, Manuela Chouza2, María Shantal Rodríguez-Flores1
1Department of Vegetal Biology and Soil Sciences, University of Vigo, Faculty of Sciences, 32004 Ourense, Spain; Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA), Universidade de Vigo, Campus Auga, 32004 Ourense, Spain.
Abstract:
In the present study, the mineral content, physicochemical properties and botanical origin of unifloral and honeydew honeys (N = 98) produced in Galicia (NW of Spain) were analyzed. Considering the main physicochemical characteristics (moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity and color), mineral content and predominat pollen types, it was possible to successfully classify different honey types using multivariate analytical techniques (principal component, cluster and discriminant analyses). Honeydew and chestnut honeys (darker color, higher electrical conductivity and pH, and higher K, Ca, Mg, and P contents) differed significantly in their physicochemical characteristics from heather, eucalyptus, and blackberry honeys. This research highlights the valuable contribution of mineral elements to the physicochemical characteristics of honey and their close relationship with botanical origin. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of analyzing a large number of samples and botanical diversity to assess the nutritional, antioxidant, or therapeutic potential of honey.
