Analysis of δ13C and δ15N values in Croatian honey by EA-IRMS and possibility of their application in botanical origin verification.

The aim of this work was to give characteristic stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio (δ13Choney, δ13Cprotein and δ15N) ranges and examine their relation with botanical origin of honey. Despite that δ13C parameter has primary purpose to detect honey adulteration, stable isotopes generally have become important parameter for detection its botanical and geographical origin. The data about stable isotopes are scarce in comparison to other well-known parameters in honey, and in Croatia there is no data about stable isotopes in unifloral honey. This research includes six characteristic honey types (black locust, chestnut, lime, rape, winter savory, and sage honey) from Croatia. Large number of differences between honey types were found in the analyzed IRMS parameters. PCA analysis has successfully separated winter savory from all other honey types, except sage honey, whose samples differed from black locust samples. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05888-9.

Characterization of Rare Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) Honey from Croatia.

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) is an invasive garden ornamental plant species originating from Asia, which produces significant amounts of nectar. In Croatia, it is widely distributed along the banks of the Mura River. Although this plant species is widespread in Europe, there are still no available scientific data about this unifloral honey type. The results showed that Himalayan balsam honey is characterized by the high presence of pollen grains in the pollen spectrum (59−85%), natural higher diastase activity (39.1 ± 7.98 DN), negative specific rotation (−21.2° ± 6.89) and an extra light amber color (48.5 ± 12.69 mm Pfund). The carbohydrate profile is characterized by monosaccharides fructose (39.34 ± 0.65 g/100 g) and glucose (31.91 ± 1.42 g/100 g) with a ratio >1.23, while the most commonly represented disaccharide was maltose (3.04 ± 0.79 g/100 g). The average total phenolic content was 130.97 ± 11.17 mg gallic acid/kg honey, and the average antioxidant capacity value was 225.38 ± 29.58 µM Fe(II). The major mineral element was K, with an average of 533.92 ± 139.70 mg/kg. The sensory profile was characteristic with a light orange color and medium-intensity odor and aroma. The crystallization rate was moderate and characterized by the appearance of opalescence and gelatinous forms of crystals. The results of this study provide the first insight into the melissopalynological, physico-chemical and sensory profile of Himalayan balsam honey.

Flavonoid pattern of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) unifloral honey.

The aim of the present paper was to determine the flavonoids in monofloral sage (Salvia officinalis L.) honey which is characteristic and specific for the area of Croatian coast and islands. For that purpose 38 sage honey samples from two production seasons were analysed. After specific pollen content determination, and analyses of selected physicochemical parameters which confirmed that samples are in compliance with national and international regulations and can be regarded as unifloral sage honeys, flavonoid fraction was isolated and analysed using RP-HPLC/DAD method. The HPLC analysis showed that all examined sage honey samples contain quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), luteolin (3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), kaempferol (3,4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone), chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) and galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone), as well as p-coumaric (trans-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) and caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid). Total amount of identified flavonoids varied from 109.4µg/100g of honey to 589.9µg/100g of honey, with the average of 288.5µg/100g of honey. All analysed honey samples showed common and specific flavonoid profile which could be the basis for differentiating sage from other monofloral honeys.

Characterization of Croatian Rape (Brassica sp.) Honey by Pollen Spectrum, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Multielement analysis by ICP-OES.

Rape (Brassica sp.) unifloral honey from Croatia was characterized by certain physicochemical parameters, micro- and macroelement content, and pollen spectrum, as determined in 21 honey samples. The Brassica sp. pollen type was predominant in the analyzed samples and ranged between 60 and 98%, with Trifolium spp., Robinia pseudoacacia, Rosaceae, Helianthus annuus, Salix spp., and Taraxacum officinale as the main accompanying pollen types. The electrical conductivity mean value was 0.22 ± 0.05 mS/cm and the glucose/fructose ratio mean value was 1.1 ± 0.07, whereas sucrose was absent in the samples. The most abundant macroelement was potassium (K) (268.49 mg/kg), followed by phosphorus (P) (60.23 mg/kg), calcium (Ca) (54.02 mg/kg), sodium (Na) (22.52 mg/kg), sulfur (S) (15.79 mg/kg), and magnesium (Mg) (12.58 mg/kg). Toxic elements were mainly bellow the LODs; only arsenic (As) concentration was detectable in higher amount (0.233 mg/kg), which may be related to the high arsenic concentration in the soil and groundwater of eastern Croatia. The differences between the two harvesting seasons observed in a large number of elements could be related to climatic and soil conditions and different nectar yields originating from the associated plant species.

Intake of vitamins among clinically healthy adults from continental Croatia estimated by 24-h recall.

The role of vitamins in nutrition of the Croatian population is still underestimated and insufficiently investigated although they have important protective effects in human health. The aim of this research was to examine vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacin and ascorbic acid intake in 120 adults, aged 18-54 years (mean 33.8 years). The research was conducted using a 24-h recall method, and was repeated 10 times during 1 year. Participants were separated according to age into two groups (< or = 30 years, and > 30 years), as well as according to sex. There were no significant differences in vitamins intake between age groups. When divided by sex, significant difference in vitamins intake was found. When nutritive density was considered, significant difference was found for more vitamins regarding age, and less regarding sex. In conclusion, considering recommendations, the examined population took adequate amounts of vitamins.