Palynological, physico-chemical and colour characterization of Moroccan honeys: III. Other unifloral honey types

In this study a total of twenty Moroccan honey samples were analysed and botanically characterized: these included sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), crucifer (Diplotaxis sp.), carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.), loeflingia (Loeflingia sp.), heather (Erica sp.), mint (Mentha sp.) and wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia L.). Unifloral honeys were considered as such whenever the dominant pollen was found at over 45% of total pollen, except for sunflower, mint and wood sage types of honey where a finding above 20% of Helianthus annuus, Mentha sp. and Teucrium scorodonia pollen, respectively, was enough to typify them. The samples have been analysed to determine: moisture, pH, acidity (free, lactonic and total), hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, proline, electrical conductivity, ash and mineral content, sugar composition, and colour variables (L*, a*, b*, C*ab, hab).