FLUORIMETRIC PROFILES, FLAVONOID AND POLYPHENOLS CONTENT OF ACACIA, MEADOW AND HONEYDEW HONEY SAMPLES AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH COLOUR INTENSITY OF HONEY

Introduction: Previous studies have showed that fluorimetric analysis may be used as a simple, rapid, low cost and reliable method for authentication botanical origin of honey. Primary aims of this study were to record fluorescence spactra of acacia, meadow and honeydew honey samples and to determine content of flavonoid and polyphenoles in relation to colour intensity of honey. Material and methods: Fluorescence spectra of honey samples were recorded. Spectrophotometric analysis was used to determine flavonoid and polyphenols content. The honey color scoring was developed by the authors as the arbitrary system. Results: Acacia honey showed high fluorescence emission intensity after an excitation at 340 nm, 390 nm and 440 nm. Meadow honey showed fluorescence after excitation at 390 nm and 440 nm, while fluorescence, caused by excitation at 340 nm, was absent. Honeydew honey showed low intensity of fluorescence at 440 nm excitation while fluorescence was absent at 340 nm and 390 nm excitation, respectively. Statistically significant difference was found for flavonoids and polyphenols levels, between honeydew and acacia honey. Statistically significant difference in polyphenols levels between meadow and acacia honey was found. There was no statistically significant difference of flavonoids and polyphenols between samples of meadow and honeydew honey. Conclusion: Fluorimetric profiles, flavonoid and polyphenols content, together with colour intensity of honey may be useful in authenitication of botanical origin of honey.