Mineral and volatile composition of água-mel from Portugal

Miguel, Maria Graça; Aazza, Smail; Antunes, Maria Dulce; Faleiro, Maria Leonor; Barroso, José G.; Pedro, Luis G.; Figueiredo, A Cristina

Mineral and volatile composition of água-mel from Portugal

2016

Água-mel (honey–water) is a typical honey-based product produced by the Portuguese beekeepers, particularly in southern Portugal. Água-mel was characterized by mineral content and volatiles contents. Mineral content evaluation was performed based on a random sampling of 14 samples from a total of 16 samples provided by local producers. Mineral content showed that potassium predominated in água-mel samples (1270–4105 mg/kg). The concentration of aluminium in one sample was tenfold higher (5.8 mg/kg) than in the remaining samples (0.3–0.6 mg/kg). Água-mel volatiles were isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) from a subset of eight samples. Cluster analysis showed two poorly correlated clusters (S cₒᵣᵣ < 0.3). Cluster I only sample was dominated by trans-β-ocimene (19 %), γ-terpinene (15 %) and 2-furfural (9 %). Cluster II that included the remaining seven samples showed two moderately correlated subclusters (S cₒᵣᵣ < 0.5). The six samples with high correlation from subcluster IIa were dominated by 2-furfural (18–41 %) and benzene acetaldehyde (12–39 %). n-Nonadecane (14 %), n-heneicosane and 2-furfural (both 13 %) were the main components of subcluster IIb sample. Although the presence of some volatile compounds can help in the correlation between água-mel and honey botanical source, the final product varies largely according to the preparation process even for the same producer, in different years. Água-mel detailed characterization may assist in bringing added value to this typical Portuguese honey-based product.

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