CIMO-Mountain Research Center, Agricultural College of Bragança, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, E 5301-855, Bragança, Portugal.
Molecules. 2011 Jun 27;16(7):5374-86. doi: 10.3390/molecules16075374.
Concerns about traces of numerous toxic substances and authenticity have prompted consumer demand for honey that is certified as organic, based on strict ecological, natural principles and traceability. The present study aims to characterize organic honey samples (n = 73) from Northeast Portugal, with respect to floral nectar origin, physicochemical parameters and microbial safety. The phenols and flavonoids contents, often referred to as responsible for honey's bioactive properties, were also assessed. All organic honey samples were classified as monofloral lavender (Lavandula sp.), exceeded in quality the international physicochemical standards and showed low microbiological counts (yeast, moulds and aerobic mesophiles), with negative results in respect to fecal coliforms, Salmonella and sulphite-reducing Clostridium spp. Correlation of the palynological, physicochemical and microbiological results is necessary to check the authenticity, quality and sanitation of honey. Although not required by international legislation, results of those assessments provide a complete outlook and elucidation of the organic honey's properties, which could promote its valorisation.
消费者对含有痕量有毒物质和真实性的蜂蜜表示担忧，因此他们要求获得经过认证的有机蜂蜜，这些蜂蜜需要基于严格的生态和自然原则以及可追溯性来生产。本研究旨在对来自葡萄牙东北部的有机蜂蜜样本（n = 73）进行表征，具体涉及花蜜来源、理化参数和微生物安全。还评估了通常被认为是蜂蜜生物活性特性的原因的酚类化合物和类黄酮含量。所有有机蜂蜜样本均被归类为薰衣草（ Lavandula sp.）单花蜜，其质量超过国际理化标准，微生物计数较低（酵母、霉菌和需氧中温菌），粪便大肠菌群、沙门氏菌和亚硫酸盐还原梭菌均呈阴性。为了检查蜂蜜的真实性、质量和卫生状况，有必要对花粉学、理化和微生物结果进行相关性分析。虽然国际法规没有要求，但这些评估结果提供了对有机蜂蜜特性的全面了解和说明，这有助于提高其附加值。
