Inorganic cations and aliphatic organic acids in bracatinga honeydew: a pioneer study on their role in the uniqueness of bracatinga honeydew honey
摘要
The chemical characterization of honeydew can explain the peculiarities of the corresponding honeydew honey. Bracatinga honeydew honey (BHH) has a natural abundance of inorganic cations and aliphatic organic acids (AOA), but their levels in bracatinga honeydew (BH) remain unstudied. In this study, five cations (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and Mn²⁺) and fourteen AOA were determined for the first time in BH samples (n = 21) from different locations. All samples showed a predominance of K⁺ (1422.0 to 3729.3 mg L− 1) and lower contents of Mg²⁺ (13.6 to 55.7 mg L− 1) and Na⁺ (< LOQ to 32.7 mg L− 1). Ten AOA were found in BH, and gluconic, glycolic, acetic and formic acids were first identified in honeydew. Total AOA levels varied widely (1461.2 to 12446.4 mg L⁻¹), and gluconic, lactic, acetic, malic, succinic, citric, and formic acids were the main acids quantified. PCA showed that AOA composition is mainly influenced by the geographic origin of the samples. Furthermore, the composition of inorganic cations and AOA in BH shows similarities to that found in BHH (published data), notably the peculiar abundance of K+, Mg²⁺, and gluconic and lactic acids. In addition, the data may support possible adjustments to the free acidity limit of honey, since the high levels observed in BHH may originate from the AOA composition of the BH collected by bees. Therefore, this unprecedented study reveals the cation and AOA composition of BH and their relationship with the unique characteristics of BHH, a Geographical Indication (GI) product.