Apidologie 26 (1995) 453-465
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19950602

Characterization of unifloral honeys

L. Persano Oddo^a, M.G. Piazza^a, A.G. Sabatini^b and M. Accorti<sup>c

a</sup>  Istituto Sperimentale per la Zoologia Agraria, Sezione di Apicoltura, Via L Rech 36, 00156 Rome, Italy
^b  Istituto Nazionale di Apicoltura, Via S Giacomo 9, 40126 Bologna, Italy
^c  Istituto Sperimentale per la Zoologia Agraria, Via Lanciola, Cascine del Riccio, 50126 Florence, Italy

Abstract - The characterization of 14 types of Italian unifloral honeys was carried out on the basis of the organoleptic, microscopic (qualitative and quantitative melissopalynological analysis) and physicochemical properties (colour, moisture, ash, HMF, diastase, pH, total acidity, electrical conductivity, specific rotation and sugars). The botanical origins of the examined honeys were Arbutus unedo L, Castanea sativa Mill, Citrus spp, Erica arborea L, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh, Hedysarum coronarium L, Helianthus annuus L, Rhododendron spp, Robinia pseudoacacia L, Taraxacum officinale Web, Thymus capitatus Hofmgg et LK, Tila spp, honeydew honey from Abies and honey from Metcalfa pruinosa honeydew. The synoptic picture emerging from the results can be used as a reference framework for the diagnosis of unifloral honeys.

Key words: honey / Italy / melissopalynology / physicochemical characterization / organoleptic analysis