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The use of pesticides is an efficient approach for pest management. However, their increasing application in recent decades has come under the spotlight of world policies. In this context, this study addresses the usefulness of a forecasting model (TOMCAST) combined with aerobiological information and a plant development model (physiological days, PDays) for the control of early blight in potatoes in Northwest Spain. Control plots were compared to treated plots, according to the original TOMCAST model and the daily Alternaria spp. concentration, meteorological factors, and phenological and epidemiological observations were monitored for better adjustment of the TOMCAST model to the weather conditions of the geographical area during three crop seasons. The results of the linear regression analysis showed a strong relationship between the parameters included in TOMCAST (leaf wetness and temperature) and the Alternaria spp. conidia concentration. In addition, an unbalanced pattern of trapped conidia was detected throughout the growing season, with an increase near the flowering stage. The epidemiological parameters (infection period, r-AUDPC, maximum severity value, and total and commercial yields) showed significant differences between the cultivars in the control and the TOMCAST plots in terms of r-AUDPC and the maximum severity value. Given the study's results, the original TOMCAST model was improved with aerobiological and phenological information. The improved model recommends a first spray on a day when the following three requirements are met: Ten accumulated disease severity values (DSVs) according to the TOMCAST model, two days with an aerobiological level greater than 10 conidia/m3, and a PDays value greater than 200. This will reduce the number of fungicide treatments used to control early blight in potato crops, promoting the principles of sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a demand from the scientific, beekeeping and consumer sectors to characterize honey based on its botanical origin, as it provides unique and distinctive properties. Nevertheless, existing studies on the physicochemical properties and the sensorial profile of honey in relation to botanical origin remain insufficient. This study aimed to understand the relationships between sensory profile and various chemical compounds (minerals, sugars, water content and volatiles) of three monofloral honeys (Atractylis serratuloides, Retama sphaerocarpa and Eruca sativa) produced in Algeria using principal component analysis. Crystallization was detected as a distinctive attribute of Eruca and Atractylis honey. A candy aroma and odor with floral nuances, light color, crystallized state and the volatile compounds Alpha-Bisabolol and Beta-eudesmol characterized the Atractylis honey. Eruca honeys were distinguished by an animal and degraded odor, bitter taste, light color and the presence of Dimethyl trisulfide and Dimethyl tetrasulfide. Finally, a vegetal aroma, some saltiness and sourness, dark amber color, lower sugar content, higher K content and Lilac aldehyde and Lilac aldehyde D characterized Retama honeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document, titled "Authenticity of Honey: Characterization, Bioactivities and Sensorial Properties Series II," explores the various aspects of honey, including its composition, bioactive compounds, and sensory attributes. The authors highlight the importance of identifying the botanical origin of honey and the need for improved methods of authentication. The research papers included in this special issue cover topics such as the characterization of organic honeys from Morocco, the antioxidant activities of stingless bee honeys, the multi-element profile of Latvian honeys, the use of chemometric techniques to analyze honey from Spain, the parameters that influence honey agitation, and the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of different types of honey. The authors emphasize the significance of these studies in enhancing the commercial value of honey and providing valuable information for beekeepers and the food industry. They also call for further research to expand our understanding of honey's characteristics and applications. [Extracted from the article]

This study was conducted on 34 honey samples produced in Algeria from different botanical and geographical origins. The main objective was to compare some biological properties like the antioxidant capacity and the α-amylase inhibition of different honey types and their relationship with physicochemical properties. The botanical origin of the samples was confirmed by pollen analysis. The samples were collected directly from beekeepers during the 2018 and 2019 harvest seasons and were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, color, total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacities (DPPH, ABTS.+), and α-amylase inhibition as a preliminary study in order to estimate the antidiabetic activity. Some of the most marketed honey types as polyfloral or Eucalyptus honey were included, but highlights the information obtained for poorly studied honey types as Lenj honey (Arbutus), Mimouza honey (Acacia), Retem honey (Retama sphaerocarpa), El Kebbar honey (Capparis), or unknown honey types as those from El Sorr (Atractytlis serratuloides), El Harra (Eruca sativa) and El Merkh (Genista saharae). According to the results, the darker samples were those of Retama, Eucalyptus, Acacia, Arbutus, and polyfloral honey types and had higher electrical conductivity, higher phenolic, and flavonoid content together with an important antioxidant activity compared to Genista, Atractylis, and Eruca honey types. Arbutus honey had the highest α-amylase inhibition but Eruca sativa and Retama samples can be distinguished also by this property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.