Evaluation of the Bioactive Compounds of Apis mellifera Honey Obtained from the Açai (Euterpe oleracea) Floral Nectar

The biodiversity of Brazil provides an excellent climate and favorable pollination conditions for Apis mellifera L., especially in the Eastern Amazon region, which boasts vast floral wealth, including an abundance of a&ccedil:a&iacute: (Euterpe oleracea) flowers and fruits. In the present study, seven types of honey were evaluated: three containing floral nectar from a&ccedil:a&iacute: (A&ccedil:a&iacute: honey) collected in the Eastern Amazon region (A&ccedil:a&iacute: honey from Breu Branco (AH1 and AH2) and A&ccedil:a&iacute: honey from Santa Maria (AH3), both from the state of Par&aacute:, Brazil) and four honeys from different regions of Brazil (Aroeira honey from Minas Gerais, Cip&oacute:-Uva honey from Distrito Federal, Mangue honey from Par&aacute:, and Timb&oacute: honey from Rio Grande do Sul). The characteristics of these honeys were evaluated by examining their physicochemical properties, melissopalynological aspects, color, antioxidant potential, and their constituent compounds, which were confirmed through GC-MS analysis. A&ccedil:a&iacute: floral nectar honeys presented physicochemical results similar to those of other honeys, aligning with Brazilian legislation norms, but differed in their high values of free acidity, apparent sugars, and lower reducing sugars, which are directly related to their botanical origin. These differences correlate with unique flavor and distinct aroma characteristics. Melissopalynological analysis confirmed the botanical origin of the honeys containing a&ccedil:a&iacute: floral nectar, which had a color range from amber to dark amber. The three a&ccedil:a&iacute: honeys demonstrated high antioxidant capacity and superior flavonoid and polyphenol content compared to other honeys, particularly the a&ccedil:a&iacute: honey from Breu Branco (AH1), which had four times the content to combat free radicals compared to the honey with the highest potential (Aroeira honey). GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of antioxidant properties as well as potential anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antitumor capabilities in a&ccedil:a&iacute: honeys, which have not yet been fully studied.