Apidologie 26 (1995) 441-452
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19950601

Some physicochemical and microscopic characteristics of Greek unifloral honeys

A. Thrasyvoulou^a and J. Manikis<sup>b

a</sup>  Laboratory of Apiculture-Sericulture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece
^b  Union of Beekeeping Associations of Northern Greece, Prometheus 6, 55134 Kalamaria, Greece

Abstract - Water content, ash, HMF, diastase activity, electrical conductivity, pH, proline and microscopic characteristics of 174 samples of unifloral honeys from thyme, chestnut, cotton, heather, orange, sunflower, pine and fir honeydew have been analysed. Differences among the corresponding values are given. The honeys from pine, fir, chestnut and heather have a high pH, electrical conductivity and ash, but a low HMF. Thyme honey has high diastase and proline content where as orange honey shows the lowest values for pH, proline, diastase activity, ash and electrical conductivity. Sunflower and cotton honeys have no distinct characteristics. Predominant pollen was found in thyme, sunflower, heather and chestnut honeys. More than 20 pollen types were found in pine and thyme honeys, 15-20 in fir, sunflower and heather and 10-15 in chestnut, cotton and orange honeys.

Key words: honey / unifloral / physicochemical characteristics / microscopic characteristics / Greece