study of organic honey from the northeast of portugal研究有机蜂蜜从东北的葡萄牙.pdf

Molecules 2011, 16, 5374-5386; doi:10.3390/molecule OPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 /journal/molecules Article Study of Organic Honey from the Northeast of Portugal Teresa Gomes 1, Xesús Feás 2, Antonio Iglesias 3 and Leticia M. Estevinho 1,* 1 CIMO-Mountain Research Center, Agricultural College of Bragança, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus Santa Apolónia, E 5301-855, Bragança, Portugal; E-Mail: teresa.mdg@ (T.G.) 2 Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-27002, Lugo, Galicia, Spain; E-Mail: xesusfeas@ (X.F.) 3 Department of Anatomy and Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-27002, Lugo, Galicia, Spain; E-Mail: antonio.iglesias@usc.es (A.I.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: leticia@ipb.pt; Tel.: +351-273-303342; Fax: +351-273-325405. Received: 25 May 2011; in revised form: 17 June 2011 / Accepted: 20 June 2011 / Published: 27 June 2011 Abstract: Concerns about traces of numerous toxic substances and authenticity have prompted consumer demand for honey that is certified as organic, based on strict ecological, natural principles and traceability. The present study aims to characterize organic honey samples (n = 73) from Northeast Portugal, with respect to floral nectar origin, physicochemical parameters and microbial safety. The phenols and flavonoids