Palynological, physicochemical, and microbiological attributes of organic lavender (Lavandula stoechas) honey from Portugal

Estevinho, M. and Vázquez-Tato, M. and Seijas, J. and Feás, X. (2013) Palynological, physicochemical, and microbiological attributes of organic lavender (Lavandula stoechas) honey from Portugal. Acta Alimentaria, 42 (1). pp. 36-44. ISSN 0139-3006

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Abstract

At the present time, the quality, integrity, sanitation, and nutritional value of honeys receive attention on an international level due to the increasing content of chemicals in the aforementioned matrix. The present study aims to characterize organic honey (n=73) from Northeast Portugal, with respect to floral nectar origin, physicochemical parameters, microbial safety, and commercial quality. All organic honey samples can be classified as monofloral lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.), exceed in quality the international physicochemical standards, and show low microbiological counts (yeast, moulds, and aerobic mesophiles), with negative results in respect to faecal coliforms, Salmonella, and sulphite-reducing clostridia. Correlating the palynological, physicochemical, and microbiological results is necessary in order to check the authenticity, quality, and sanitation of honey.

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