Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigated the characteristic properties of chestnut honey produced in the Marmara Region, specifically in the Gulf of Kocaeli (İzmit). Microscopic analysis of seven chestnut honey samples from the Gölcük district revealed that the chestnut pollen percentage varied between 86.48% to 93.84%. The microscopic chestnut pollen ratio, color characteristics (Hunter lab) and browning index (BI), electrical conductivity (EC), antioxidant activity, and phenolic composition of the honey samples were investigated. In the seven honey samples analysed, chestnut pollen was identified as the predominant pollen type, accounting for more than 85% of the total pollen content, while the remaining pollen types were present as minor components, mainly belonging to the Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Cistaceae families. Honey samples with high electrical conductivity values (EC: 1.15 ± 0.16 mS/cm) exhibited color characteristics with Hunter L values ranging from 25 to 48, indicating variations from darker to lighter color tones. The mean total phenolic content (TPC) of the honey samples was determined as 42.03 ± 9.43 mg GAE/100 g, with values ranging between 28.91 and 55.96 mg GAE/100 g. The total antioxidant capacity measured by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was determined to be 4.31 ± 2.59 µmol FeSO₄/g, and darker-colored honey samples were found to exhibit higher FRAP values. Chrysin and t-cinnamic acid were identified as common and major components in the honey samples, while caffeic acid, pinocembrin, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were detected in lower amounts.
Source: Journal of Apitherapy and Nature
DOI: 10.35206/jan.1867095
Authors: Aslı Özkök, Zeynep Berin Çelebi, Erol Tunca
Institutions: Hacettepe University, Karadeniz Technical University
Language: Turkish
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7154124641