Evaluation of color, mineral substances and sensory uniqueness of meadow and acacia honey from Serbia

The aim of this study was to examine specific quality characteristics of meadow and acacia honey in conditions of production - at lots with 50 hives (n=50) from four locations within the Jablanica District (at an altitude of 210 to 900 m). The results of colorimetric determination in the CIE and CIEL*a*b* systems suggest that the values of L*(lightness intensity of white color) for samples of meadow honey increased at higher attitudes (L*=24.48-31.64) while for the acacia honey the darker nuances were obtained (L*=32.17-25.10) (p<0.001), at the same time. The highest viscosity was found for meadow honey sampled at locations at the lowest attitudes (Xm=22.45 Pas), as well as for the honey collected at the location of midstream of river Vlasina (attitude 450-900 m) (Xm=14.00 Pas) (p>0.05). Meadow bee pasture at higher altitudes induces an increase of mineral substances content (K, Mg, Ca, P, Na, Mn, Fe, Cr, in mg/kg), opposite to the acacia honeys (p<0.05). Exceptions were found in the acacia honey samples in the collected in the areas of Vlasina river midstream that had higher iron (Fe), content of (Xm=2.50 mg/kg). Sensory analyses of honey samples quality included four dominant properties (viscosity, color, odor and taste), followed by total, summary rating of the quality category. The results of statistical analysis show the significant differences (p<0.01) between means of colorimetric, sensory and chemical characteristics. The correlation coefficient between location of the hives and colorimetric, sensory and chemical characteristics of honey samples suggests that the climate as well as altitude play an important role in the quality of honey.