A review about composition, origin and importance of carbohydrates in honey is presented. Fructose and glucose are the major carbohydrates, ranging from 65-85 % of the total soluble solids. Other minor carbohydrates, chiefly di- and trisaccharides, have been also identified. Fructose, glucose and sucrose are mainly originated from nectar. Oligosaccharides are mainly formed by trans-alpha-D-glucosylation reactions catalysed by honeybee alpha-D-glucosidase. The profile of carbohydrates can be useful for the identification of the brazilian region in which honey was produced and may also be useful for testing brazilian honey authenticity.
honey; carbohydrates; nectar
