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Assessing Honey Quality: A Focus on Some Physicochemical Parameters of Honey from Iasi County (Romania)

Author

Listed:
  • Aida Albu

    (Department of Control, Expertise and Services, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 8 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, Romania
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Florin Dumitru Bora

    (Viticulture and Oenology Department, Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Laboratory of Chromatography, Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, Faculty of Horticulture and Business for Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Simona-Maria Cucu-Man

    (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Blvd, 700506 Iasi, Romania)

  • Vasile Stoleru

    (Department of Horticulture Technologies, Faculty of Horticulture, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 3 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania)

  • Cătălin-Emilian Nistor

    (Department of Control, Expertise and Services, Faculty of Food and Animal Sciences, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 8 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700489 Iasi, Romania)

  • Ioan Sebastian Brumă

    (Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch, “Gh. Zane” Institute for Economic and Social Research, 2 Codrescu Street, 700481 Iasi, Romania)

  • Oana-Raluca Rusu

    (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 8 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700449 Iasi, Romania
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The study of honey in Iasi County reveals its ecological, economic and health importance, emphasizing its unique properties, role in biodiversity and value in promoting sustainable beekeeping and regional identity. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of honey from Iasi County, Romania, analyzing 27 samples collected in 2020 and 2021. The samples include tilia (8 raw, 7 commercial), acacia (2 raw, 2 commercial), rapeseed (3 raw), sunflower (3 raw) and lavender (2 raw) honey. Analyses were carried out under Romanian/EU standards, assessing parameters such as color, electrical conductivity, moisture, total soluble solids (TSS), acidity (free, lactone, total), pH, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), ash and mineral composition (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe). The results revealed significant differences between raw and commercial honeys. Notably, in commercial tilia honey, higher values were found for color (38.58 mm Pfund vs. 24.14 mm Pfund), total acidity (25.93 meq·kg −1 vs. 17.36 meq·kg −1 ) and HMF levels (8.84 mg·kg −1 vs. 3.68 mg·kg −1 ). Conversely, water-insoluble solids (0.08% vs. 0.15%) and ash content (0.21% vs. 0.30%) were lower in commercial samples. Potassium was the most abundant mineral detected, while copper and zinc levels were the lowest. Significant correlations were observed between several parameters, including ash with electrical conductivity and HMF with acidity. This study underscores the impact of processing on honey quality and highlights the importance of understanding honey composition for consumers and producers alike.

Suggested Citation

  • Aida Albu & Florin Dumitru Bora & Simona-Maria Cucu-Man & Vasile Stoleru & Cătălin-Emilian Nistor & Ioan Sebastian Brumă & Oana-Raluca Rusu, 2025. "Assessing Honey Quality: A Focus on Some Physicochemical Parameters of Honey from Iasi County (Romania)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-30, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:333-:d:1582632
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