Chemical and Functional Characteristics of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Honey from Western Greece
Strawberry tree honey (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) is a rare monofloral honey type with unique characteristics, mainly produced in the Mediterranean region. Despite its distinct qualities, limited research on its physicochemical and biological properties, coupled with the absence of specifi...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Chrysoula Tananaki Dimitrios Kanelis Vasilios Liolios Maria Anna Rodopoulou Fotini Papadopoulou |
| author_facet | Chrysoula Tananaki Dimitrios Kanelis Vasilios Liolios Maria Anna Rodopoulou Fotini Papadopoulou |
| author_sort | Chrysoula Tananaki |
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| description | Strawberry tree honey (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) is a rare monofloral honey type with unique characteristics, mainly produced in the Mediterranean region. Despite its distinct qualities, limited research on its physicochemical and biological properties, coupled with the absence of specific legislative standards, hinder its market potential. For this reason, in the present study, we analyzed strawberry tree honey samples collected from beekeepers in Western Greece, focusing on physicochemical properties (moisture, electrical conductivity, HMF, diastase activity, color, pH, acidity), total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, carbohydrate composition, and phenolic compounds profile. The results revealed high moisture content (19.2 ± 1.9%) and electrical conductivity (0.784 ± 0.132 mS cm<sup>−1</sup>), low diastase activity (9.6 ± 3.8 DN), and a strong crystallization tendency (1.01). Additionally, the honey exhibited elevated levels of total phenolic content (1169.9 ± 323.8 mg GAE kg<sup>−1</sup> honey) and total antioxidant activity (10.98 ± 2.42 mmol Fe<sup>2+</sup> kg<sup>−1</sup> honey), compared to other blossom honeys, with homogentisic acid emerging as the dominant phenolic compound. These findings highlight the potential of strawberry tree honey as a high-value product, contributing to its enhanced market promotion. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e06d3166aa7a4d1b82d92a5546b711f22025-08-20T02:24:46ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-04-01149147310.3390/foods14091473Chemical and Functional Characteristics of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Honey from Western GreeceChrysoula Tananaki0Dimitrios Kanelis1Vasilios Liolios2Maria Anna Rodopoulou3Fotini Papadopoulou4Laboratory of Apiculture-Sericulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Aristotle Farm, 57001 Thermi, GreeceLaboratory of Apiculture-Sericulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Aristotle Farm, 57001 Thermi, GreeceLaboratory of Apiculture-Sericulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Aristotle Farm, 57001 Thermi, GreeceLaboratory of Apiculture-Sericulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Aristotle Farm, 57001 Thermi, GreeceLaboratory of Apiculture-Sericulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Aristotle Farm, 57001 Thermi, GreeceStrawberry tree honey (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) is a rare monofloral honey type with unique characteristics, mainly produced in the Mediterranean region. Despite its distinct qualities, limited research on its physicochemical and biological properties, coupled with the absence of specific legislative standards, hinder its market potential. For this reason, in the present study, we analyzed strawberry tree honey samples collected from beekeepers in Western Greece, focusing on physicochemical properties (moisture, electrical conductivity, HMF, diastase activity, color, pH, acidity), total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, carbohydrate composition, and phenolic compounds profile. The results revealed high moisture content (19.2 ± 1.9%) and electrical conductivity (0.784 ± 0.132 mS cm<sup>−1</sup>), low diastase activity (9.6 ± 3.8 DN), and a strong crystallization tendency (1.01). Additionally, the honey exhibited elevated levels of total phenolic content (1169.9 ± 323.8 mg GAE kg<sup>−1</sup> honey) and total antioxidant activity (10.98 ± 2.42 mmol Fe<sup>2+</sup> kg<sup>−1</sup> honey), compared to other blossom honeys, with homogentisic acid emerging as the dominant phenolic compound. These findings highlight the potential of strawberry tree honey as a high-value product, contributing to its enhanced market promotion.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1473strawberry tree honeyphysicochemical characteristicstotal phenolic contenttotal antioxidant activitycarbohydrate profilephenolic compounds profile |
| spellingShingle | Chrysoula Tananaki Dimitrios Kanelis Vasilios Liolios Maria Anna Rodopoulou Fotini Papadopoulou Chemical and Functional Characteristics of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Honey from Western Greece Foods strawberry tree honey physicochemical characteristics total phenolic content total antioxidant activity carbohydrate profile phenolic compounds profile |
| title | Chemical and Functional Characteristics of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Honey from Western Greece |
| title_full | Chemical and Functional Characteristics of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Honey from Western Greece |
| title_fullStr | Chemical and Functional Characteristics of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Honey from Western Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chemical and Functional Characteristics of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Honey from Western Greece |
| title_short | Chemical and Functional Characteristics of Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Honey from Western Greece |
| title_sort | chemical and functional characteristics of strawberry tree i arbutus unedo i l honey from western greece |
| topic | strawberry tree honey physicochemical characteristics total phenolic content total antioxidant activity carbohydrate profile phenolic compounds profile |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1473 |
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