Viscosity of Apis mellifera honey from different floral origins

Authors

  • Rafael Alves SANTOMAURO Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0630-0779
  • Paula Santolin MANCUSO Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4848-9541
  • Augusto Heitor Pedro de ALMEIDA Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7120-5483
  • Camila Koutsodontis Cerqueira CÉZAR Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1222-6544
  • Evelyn Fernanda Flores CARON Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4656-893X
  • Aryele Nunes da Cruz Encide SAMPAIO Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3648-2382
  • Fabio Sossai POSSEBON Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0118-6164
  • Juliano Gonçalves PEREIRA Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8713-7506
  • Otávio Augusto MARTINS Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Food Inspection Laboratory, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0926-9690

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/fst.00411

Keywords:

Composition, Crystallization, Properties, Quality

Abstract

Viscosity is a critical parameter that quantifies the flow rate of a liquid under an applied force, influenced by various factors including chemical composition, temperature, and humidity. This rheological property is particularly significant in the honey industry as it plays a crucial role in the design and optimization of processing equipment. The primary aim of this study was to characterize the viscosity of honey produced by Apis mellifera, sourced from various botanical origins, including organic varieties. The floral sources of the honey samples analyzed comprised eucalyptus (n = 8), wildflower (n = 8), orange blossom (n = 7), and organic production (n = 8). The results revealed that honey derived from orange blossoms exhibited the lowest viscosity, measured at 1,385.07 mm²/s, while organic honey displayed the highest viscosity, recorded at 4,344.78 mm²/s. Furthermore, organic honey demonstrated the highest concentration of hydroxymethylfurfural (33.59 mg/kg) alongside the lowest moisture content (18.20%). These findings suggest that the lower moisture content and varied chemical composition of honey contribute to enhanced crystallization processes, resulting in increased viscosity.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abadio Finco, F. D. B., Moura, L. L., & Silva, I. G. (2010). Propriedades físicas e químicas do mel de Apis mellifera L. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, 30(3), 706-712. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-20612010000300022

Anupama, D., Bhat, K. K., & Sapna, V. K. (2003). Sensory and physico-chemical properties of commercial samples of honey. Food Research International, 36(2), 183-191. https://doi.org/1010.1016/S0963-9969(02)00135-7

Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) (1986). NBR 5849 – Determinação de viscosidade pelo copo Ford. ABNT.

ASTM International (2023). Designation: D1200 − 23: Standard Test Method for Viscosity by Ford Viscosity Cup (Vol. 1). ASTM International. https://doi.org/10.1520/D1200-23.2

Brasil (1981). Ministério da Agricultura. Laboratório Nacional de Referência Animal. Métodos analíticos oficiais para controle de produtos de origem animal e seus ingredientes. II - Métodos químicos e físicos. LANARA.

Brasil (2011). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Guia de validação e controle de qualidade analítica: fármacos em produtos para alimentação e medicamentos veterinários. Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Secretaria de Defesa Agropecuária.

Brasil (2014). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Divisão de Ensaios Químicos, Coordenação-Geral de Apoio Laboratorial. Manual de validação, verificação/confirmação de desempenho, estimativa da incerteza de medição e controle de qualidade intralaboratorial. Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Secretaria de Defesa Agropecuária.

Brasil (2017). Ministério da Saúde. Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. RDC n. 166, de 24 de julho de 2017 - validação de métodos analíticos. Diário Oficial da União, (141).

Codex (2022). Codex Alimentarius. FAO/WHO. Standard for honey - CXS 12-1981. FAO/WHO.

da Silva, P. M., Gauche, C., Gonzaga, L. V., Costa, A. C., & Fett, R. (2016). Honey: Chemical composition, stability and authenticity. Food Chemistry, 196, 309-323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.09.051

Dos Reis, J. G., & De Paula Aragão, T. R. (2015). Viabilidade econômica da apicultura no município de Botucatu-SP. Revista iPecege, 1(3/4), 26-35. https://doi.org/10.22167/r.ipecege.2015.3-4.26

Franco, J. R., Dal Pai, E., Calça, M. V. C., Raniero, M. R., Dal Pai, A., Sarnighausen, V. C. R., & Román, R. M. S. (2023). Atualização da normal climatológica e classificação de Köppen para o município de Botucatu-SP. Irriga, 28(1), 77-92. 10.15809/irriga.2023v28n1p77-92

Gehaka (2000). Indústria e Comércio Eletro-Eletrônico Gehaka. Manual de instruções – Viscosímetro Copo Ford. Gehaka.

Holanda, C. A., Brandão, C. M., Souza, J. L., Ribeiro, M. N. S., Alves, L. M. C., Costa, M. C. P. (2015). Quality and estimative of time-consuming of tiúba honey (Melipona fasciculata Smith) produced in cerrado region from Maranhão State, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Pesquisa em Alimentos, 6(3), 53. https://doi.org/10.14685/rebrapa.v6i3.3498

Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL) (2008). Métodos físicos-quimicos para análise de alimentos (v. 1). Instituto Adolfo Lutz.

International Honey Commission (IHC) (2009). Harmonised Methods of the International Honey Comission. IHC. Retrieved from https://www.ihc-platform.net/ihcmethods2009.pdf

Ito, E. H., Araújo, W. L. P., Shinohara, A. J., Barros, D. C. B., Camilli, M. P., & Orsi, R. O. (2018). Características físico-químicas dos méis de abelhas Apis mellifera produzidos na região do Pólo Cuesta, São Paulo, Brasil. Boletim de Indústria Animal, 75. https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.2018.v75.e1429

Kadri, S. M., Zaluski, R., Pereira Lima, G. P., Mazzafera, P., & de Oliveira Orsi, R. (2016). Characterization of Coffea arabica monofloral honey from Espírito Santo, Brazil. Food Chemistry, 203, 252-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.02.074

Komatsu, S. S., Marchini, L. C., Moreti, A. C. de C. C. (2002). Análises físico-químicas de amostras de méis de flores silvestres, de eucalipto e de laranjeira, produzidos por Apis mellifera L., 1758 (Hymenoptera, Apidae) no Estado de São Paulo. 2. Conteúdo de açúcares e de proteína. Food Science and Technology, 22, 143-146. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-20612002000200007

Lahoud, M. H., & Campos, R. (2010). Aspectos teóricos relacionados à reologia farmacêutica. Visão Acadêmica, 11(1), 65-73. https://doi.org/10.5380/acd.v11i1.21356

Mateo, R., & Bosch-Reig, F. (1997). Sugar profiles of Spanish unifloral honeys. Food Chemistry, 60(1), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(96)00297-X

Montgomery, D. C. (2020). Design and analysis of experiments (10ª ed.). Wiley.

Moreira, R. F. A., & De Maria, C. A. B. (2001). Glicídios no mel. Química Nova, 24(4), 516-525. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422001000400013

Nayik, G. A., Dar, B. N., & Nanda, V. (2016). Rheological behavior of high altitude Indian honey varieties as affected by temperature. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 17(3), 323-329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2016.07.003

Oroiam, M. (2015). Influence of temperature, frequency and moisture content on honey viscoelastic parameters–Neural networks and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system prediction. LWT–Food Science and Technology, 63(2), 1309-1316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2015.04.051

Pasias, I. N., Kiriakou, I. K., & Proestos, C. (2017). HMF and diastase activity in honeys: A fully validated approach and a chemometric analysis for identification of honey freshness and adulteration. Food Chemistry, 229, 425-431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.02.084

Pasupuleti, V. R., Sammugam, L., Ramesh, N., & Gan, S. H. (2017). Honey, propolis, and royal jelly: a comprehensive review of their biological actions and health benefits. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 1259510. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1259510

Salgado, T. B., Orsi, R. O., Funari, S. R. C., & Martins, O. A. (2008). Análise físico-química de méis de abelhas Apis mellifera L. comercializados na região de Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil. PUBVET, 2(20), 232. Retrieved from https://www.pubvet.com.br/material/Martins232.pdf

Se, K. W., Wahab, R. A., Yaacob, S. N. S., & Ghoshal, S. K. (2019). Detection techniques for adulterants in honey: Challenges and recent trends. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 80, 16-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2019.04.001

Sechrist, E. L. (1925). The color grading of honey. Circular 364. United States Department of Agriculture Department.

Singh, I., & Singh, S. (2018). Honey moisture reduction and its quality. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 55(10), 3861-3871. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-018-3341-5

Soares, S., Amaral, J. S., Oliveira, M. B. P. P., & Mafra, I. (2017). A comprehensive review on the main honey authentication issues: production and origin. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 16(5), 1072-1100. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12278

Sociedade Brasileira de Metrologia (SBM) (2022). Escola Nacional de Tecnologia Industrial Básica. Validação de métodos de ensaio. SBM.

Sousa, J. M. B., Marques, G., Benassi, M. T., Gullón, B., Pintado, M. M., & Magnani, M. (2016). Sugar profile, physicochemical and sensory aspects of monofloral honeys produced by different stingless bee species in Brazilian semi-arid region. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 65, 645-651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2015.08.058

Supelco, Merck, Sigma & Aldrich (2021). Reflectoquant® - Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) Test. 1.17952.0001. Merck KGaA.

Truzzi, C., Illuminati, S., Annibaldia, A., Finalea, C., Rossetti, M., & Scarponi, G. (2014). Physicochemical properties of honey from Marche, Central Italy: Classification of unifloral and multifloral honeys by multivariate analysis. Natural Product Communications, 9(11), 1595-1602. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1400901117

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (1985). United States Standards for Grades of Extracted Honey. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Extracted_Honey_Standard%5B1%5D.pdf

Vision (2024). Metalúrgica Tech Vision. Determinação de viscosidade pelo cup Ford. Tech Vision.

Zhang, X. H., Qing, X. D., Mu, S. T., Wang, D., Zheng, J. J., Zhou, S. J., Kang, C. & Liu, Z. (2021). Authentication of honey of different nectar sources and antioxidant property evaluation by phenolic composition analysis with chemometrics. Food Control, 124, 107900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.107900

Downloads

Published

2025-03-03

How to Cite

SANTOMAURO, R. A., MANCUSO, P. S., ALMEIDA, A. H. P. de, CÉZAR, C. K. C., CARON, E. F. F., SAMPAIO, A. N. da C. E., POSSEBON, F. S., PEREIRA, J. G., & MARTINS, O. A. (2025). Viscosity of Apis mellifera honey from different floral origins. Food Science and Technology, 45. https://doi.org/10.5327/fst.00411

Issue

Section

Original Articles