Ceratonia siliqua honeys from Morocco: Physicochemical properties, mineral contents, and antioxidant activities

Redouan El-Haskoury ^a, Walid Kriaa ^b, Badiaa Lyoussi ^a, Mohamed Makni ^c,*

^a Laboratory of Physiology, Pharmacology and Environmental Health, Faculty of Sciences, Dhar El Mehraz, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, Fez, Morocco

^b Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

^c Laboratory of Toxicology, Microbiology and Environmental Health (UR11ES70), Faculty of Sciences of Sfax and Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

Physicochemical properties, main mineral content, and antioxidant activity were determined for eight floral carob honeys collected from different geographical regions of Morocco. Moroccan honeys showed good chemical and nutritional qualities, fulfilling the criteria described in the standard codex for honey. The percentages obtained for ashes were (0.13–0.69%), electrical conductivity (0.36–1.35 mS/cm), water content (17.30–22.80%), pH (4.17–5.05), free acidity (11.0–42.50 meq/kg), lactone acidity (4.0–16.50 meq/kg), and for total acidity (16.50–59.50 meq/kg). In addition, minerals such as K, Na, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Ca of honey samples were determined and potassium was the major mineral in all samples. The antioxidant activities based on the free radical scavenging, reducing power, and total antioxidant activity were investigated, and the antioxidant capacity of the honey samples was correlated with their biochemical constituents such as total phenol and flavonoids content, and the best antioxidant capacity was confirmed by the honey from Taounate.

Keywords: antioxidant activity, carob honey, mineral content, physicochemical properties