The physico-chemical properties and the botanical origin of 31 commercial honey samples from Southeast Brazil, indicated as monofloral honeys, were analyzed in order to verify quality parameters. The physico-chemical analyses comprised the test of Fiehe, the lugol reaction, the determination of humidity, pH, reduced sugars, ashes and diastase. In accordance with Brazilian legislation all samples showed adequate water content. The level of reducing sugars from 10 samples was below the Brazilian quality parameters for honey, three presented a Schade/Gothe number of diastase activity below 8 and in one sample only a higher ash content. Pollen analysis showed that nearly 57% of the samples analyzed could be classified as monofloral honeys, corresponding to nine samples of Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae), two of Citrus (Rutaceae), two of Schinus (Anacardiaceae), two of Vernonia (Asteraceae), one of Croton (Euphorbiaceae) and one of Gochnatia (Asteraceae). The other samples were of bifloral or heterofloral origin. No relation between the floral origin and the physico-chemical properties of the samples examined could be detected using regression analysis (p>0.05).
honey; label; physico-chemical analysis; pollen analysis; botanical origin
