Ziziphus Lotus and Euphorbia bupleuroides Algerian Honeys

Abstract

Two Algerian honey types of semi-arid regions are characterized. Botanical origin is controlled by qualitative and quantitative melissopalynology. Based on dendrograms test, the 27 studied samples were classified into three homogeneous groups. The control analyzes showed that they are of good quality in agreement with the Codex Alimentarius. For discriminating between groups, physico-chemical parameters and phenolic and sugar composition were measured. But it is only the pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity and specific rotation that were powerful to differentiate unifloral Ziziphus Lotus group, Euphorbia and multiforal honeys containing Ziziphus . Ziziphus lotus honey presented specific characteristics, with high pH (4.96 ± 0.91), dextrogyrous specific rotation (-1.41 ± 7.55°) and high diastase activity (36.06 ± 10.06). While, Euphorbia honeys were within honey standards, with poor proline content (114.3 ± 30.3ppm) and low Diastase activity (14.6 ± 4.1Ush).The mineral fraction of ziziphus honey reveals the predominance of potassium, calcium and sodium with a constant presence of iron and magnesium. Finally, correlations analysis suggests the existence of a strong relationship between color and flavonoïd fraction, which is present in significant amounts (15-30 mg EQ/100g) compared to rates usually found in European monofloral honeys (1-6 mg EQ/100g), which is remarquable