Physico-biochemical and antioxidant properties of selected unifloral honey sample

The aim of this study was to prove more insight to the chemical composition of unifloral Malaysian honeys produced by different bee species as well as of their antioxidant activities. This study may help to prevent fraud adulteration to protect authenticity in quality and composition of honey. Four types of selected unifloral honey samples were analyzed to determine their physicochemical, biochemical and antioxidant activities.
The physical parameters of honey, such as pH, color characteristics, color intensity and total sugar content were measured. The study of the biochemical properties
included reducing sugar assay, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and ascorbic acid content. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay
was performed to determine the antioxidant properties of the honey samples. The results, showed that Jambul Merak honey from Kubang Pasu contains the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents with greatest color intensity, indicating that it has the highest antioxidant potential. Through this research the data was reported to enhance
the limited scientific knowledge on Malaysian honeys and identified the types of honey with high antioxidant activity that would promote beekeeping in Malaysia by increasing the commercial value of these honeys as a functional food source as well as a food additive.