Preliminary study of antioxidant activity of polyfloral and sunflower honey from Bulgaria

Ralitsa Balkanska and Rositsa Shumkova

Abstract: Honey is a good source of natural antioxidants. In the present study we aimed to determine the antioxidant activity of the Bulgarian polyfloral and sunflower honey by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay and total polyphenols. In selected polyfloral (n=20) and sunflower honey samples (n=10) originated from different regions of Bulgaria antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content were determined. For evaluation of the antioxidant activity two different methods were used: FRAP and DPPH assay. Total polyphenol content was determined by the modified Folin-Ciocalteu method. The average antioxidant activity of polyfloral honey samples measured with FRAP assay was higher than in sunflower honey samples. Sunflower honey had higher average DPPH values than polyfloral honey. The results obtained for total polyphenols for the both honey types are almost identical. The present study confirmed the presence of biologically active compounds in the tested honey samples, which are responsible for the antioxidant activity of honey. The distribution of these compounds is influenced by the floral origin of honey. The polyphenol content correlates with the antioxidant activity of polyfloral and sunflower honey measured with FRAP assay. These results revealed that the Bulgarian honeys studied proved to be a good source of antioxidants that might serve to protect human health.

Keywords: antioxidant activity; polyfloral honey; sunflower honey; total polyphenols

Date published: 2022-08-19