Aziz Gül

Biochemical composition of honeys produced in Turkey

SUMMARY The biochemical properties of 50 honey samples produced in the Hatay region of Turkey were determined. Analyses were appropriate to the honey standards TSE (Institute of Turkish Standards) and CODEX. The characterizations were as follows: average mineral content (0.32%), moisture (16.03%), acidity (40.41 meq kg−1), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (10.71 mg kg−1), diastase (10.31 number), invert sugar (57.83%), pH (4.12), proteins (0.76%), sucrose (2.39%), and electrical conductivity (0.69 mS/cm). Except for invert sugar content, the honey from Hatay region meets the quality standards of TSE, CODEX and European Union, even if there are some differences among counties in the region. These quality disparities may be addressed by developing targeted beekeeper education programmes to improve honey harvesting, processing and storing practices.

Determination of Heavy Metals Contents of Some Monofloral Honey Produced in Turkey.

In the present work, some element contents (Cd, Se, Cr, Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Fe) of 23 different monofloral honey samples from different regions of Turkey were assessed. Origins of monofloral honey research materials are as follows; Pimpinella sp., Castanea sp., Astragalus sp., Onobrychis sp., Mentha sp., Coridothymus capitatus, Robinia pseudoacacia, Cedrus libani, Gossypium sp., Thymus sp., Euphorbia sp., Tilia sp., Eucalyptus sp., Ferula sp., Centaurea solstitialis, Petroselinum sp., Vitex agnus-castus, Helianthus annuus, Citrus sp., Pinus sp., Rhododendron sp., Arbutus sp., Ceratonia siliqua. Metal contents of samples were determined by wet combustion method in ASS machine. As a result of the study, heavy metal contents of honey samples were as follows; Cd

Vitamin E supplement in honey bee colonies to increase cell acceptance rate and royal jelly production

SUMMARY This study was carried out to determine the effects of different colony feeding methods on queen cell acceptance rates and royal jelly (RJ) production: (1) pollen substitute (PS), (2) PS + vitamin E (PS+VE), (3) sugar syrup (SS), (4) sugar syrup + vitamin E (SS+VE), and (5) no supplementary feed (control, C). Royal jelly production (g per cell) was 0.25, 0.26 0.23, 0.25 and 0.21; average colony yield (g) per harvest 32.1, 33.2, 31.0, 34.6, and 25.0; and total colony production (g) 96.2, 99.6, 93.0, 103.9, and 75.0 in groups PS, PS+VE, SS, SS+VE, and C, respectively. Any form of supplementary feeding improved RJ production relative to controls. Total colony production and average colony yield per harvest were highest in those colonies fed SS+VE or PS+VE. A benefit of supplementary VE was more apparent for sugar syrup than for pollen substitute; total colony production and average colony yield per harvest were significantly higher for SS+VE colonies than for SS, whereas no such benefit was shown between the pollen substitute groups.

Antioxidant activities of some monofloral honey types produced across Turkey

This study was conducted with the aim of determining the chemical, biochemical properties, and antimicrobial capabilities of some of the monofloral honeys produced in Turkey. In this study, 23 different monofloral honey samples were obtained from diverse geographical regions of Turkey. Floral origin of the honey samples was determined by melissopalinological analyses. Additionally, antioxidant properties were determined. To determine the antioxidant properties of honey samples, four test methods of total phenolic content, DPPH, iron reduction power and β-carotene linoleic acid emulsion method were used. As a result of the antioxidant activity analysis among the honey samples, rhododendron and parsley honey showed most prominent results in terms of the amount of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. On the other hand, acacia and citrus honey samples showed least antioxidant activity. A positive correlation was determined between four methods. Differences between antioxidant activities of honey samples were significantly found (P < 0.01).