Physicochemical properties, multi-elemental composition, and antioxidant activity of five unifloral honeys from Apis cerana cerana

Honey quality is in relation to botanical origin, and physicochemical properties, elemental composition, and antioxidant activity have been used for assessment and identification of honeys. The goal of this study is to contribute to the general analysis of five unifloral honeys from Cocos nucifera L., Dalbergia benthami Prain, Bombax ceiba L., Castanea mollissima Bl., and mangrove in Hainan province, China. Our results revealed that B. ceiba honey had the highest pH (4.27), color (139.33 mm Pfund), ash content (1.03 g/100 g), and electrical conductivity (1312.00 μS/cm) in five unifloral honeys. Furthermore, B. ceiba honey also contained the highest levels of total phenolic content (75.54 mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid content (29.22 mg RE/100 g), as well as the strongest antioxidant activity (DPPH IC 50 value, 3.97 mg/mL; FRAP value, 6527.43 µmol TE/kg). Moreover, we revealed a considerable variation in element contents in honeys using ICP-MS, with potassium being the most predominant element. B. ceiba honey had the highest contents of K, Ca, Mg, and P, whereas the highest amount of Na was found in mangrove honey. Overall, our data indicated that B. ceiba honey deserves further research as a potential antioxidant agent.