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In recent years, authentic foodstuffs have became a major requirement for consumers and producers worldwide. Honey has increased in popularity since it is associated with a natural diet, and because of honey’s authentic origin. The present study investigated the palynological characteristics, physicochemical parameters, total phenol content, flavonoid content, and radical scavenging activity of 41 sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) honeys from the northwestern part of Spain. These honeys were characterised by high values of electrical conductivity, pH, diastase content, and colour. All the samples showed a pollen combination of Castanea sativa-Rubus-Cytisus type-Erica. Fructose and glucose were 37.2% and 25.9%, while other sugars were less than 5%. Regarding the mineral content K, was the main with a mean value of 260.2 mg/100g. Other elements as Mg with a mean value of 17.1 mg/100g, Ca (mean value of 15.8 mg/100g) and P (mean value of 12.8 mg/100g) were well represented in this honey type. The phenol and flavonoid content were high (mean values of 129.8 mg/100g and 9.0 mg/100g, respectively). Multivariate statistical techniques showed the close relationship of colour, Mg, P, phenols, melezitose, and flavonoids, and the radical scavenging activity.

Celem badań było znalezienie związku pomiędzy całkowitą zawartością fenoli i flawonoidów w miodzie oraz jego zdolnością dezaktywacji rodnika DPPH a jego pochodzeniem botanicznym. W badaniach uwzględniono cztery odmiany miodu (kasztanowy, eukaliptusowy, wrzosowy i jeżynowy) oraz miód wielokwiatowy. W miodach tych stwierdzono obecność pyłku pochodzącego z 96 gatunków roślin należących do 50 rodzin. Nie mniej jednak dla produkcji miodu na tym terenie znaczenie miało jedynie kilka gatunków roślin. W badanych miodach w największych ilościach występował pyłek: Castanea sativa, Rubus, Eucalyptus oraz gatunków rodzaju Erica. Inne rodzaje pyłku miały niewielkie znaczenie: Echium, Brassica, Trifolium, Campanulla, Crateagus monogyna, Salix, Frangula alnus, Conium maculatum.

The knowledge of important parameters for honey characterization is an increasing requirement of consumers and the honey industry. In this respect, differentiation between blossom honeys and some honeydew honeys is still an unresolved task. This study includes the results of physicochemical and melissopalynological analysis of 86 honey samples from north-western Spain. The relationship between the microscopic elements in honey, such as Metschnikowia cells and fungal spores from plant pathogens, together with their physicochemical parameters were analysed. A cluster analysis was performed to differentiate blossom honey samples from honeydew samples. Metschnikowia cells and certain fungal spores were found to be good variables to enable differentiation between blossom honeys and honeydew honeys.