Comparative Assessment of Selected Metals, Polyphenols and Antioxidant Potential of Various Types of Honey

Abstract

Branded honey samples from local markets and unbranded honey samples from local vendors and beekeepers were collected. The honey samples were processed for metal analysis using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Digestion of honey samples was done according to the reported method for complete digestion. Honey samples were processed to find out the essential and toxic metals along with their phytochemical contents and the antioxidant properties. For phytochemical contents and the antioxidant properties, honey samples were extracted using methanol. Total polyphenols and flavonoids were determined along with the DPPH radical scavenging activity was also evaluated. Among major essential metals, K showed highest concentration in all the honey samples, followed by Na and Ca whereas in case of minor essential metals Fe showed highest concentration on average basis. Most of the trace metals showed random distribution in honey samples. Very strong and significant correlations were observed in most of the cases and quartile distribution pattern showed that metals were more dispersed and asymmetrically distributed in honeys. Among phytochemicals, methanol extracts of most of the honey samples showed exceedingly high polyphenols and flavonoid contents and random pattern in both the cases was observed. DPPH scavenging activity also showed very high values for honey samples; most of the varieties showed values higher than 70%. Health risk assessment for selected metals in honey showed that hazard quotient and cancer risk indicated values much below the limit values (unity and 1 x 10-4, respectively) indicating no long term non-carcinogenic as well as carcinogenic health risks are associated with the consumption of these honeys.