Water activity of fresh bee pollen and mixtures of bee pollen-honey of different botanical origin. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sagona, Simona; Bozzicolonna, Rachele; Nuvoloni, Roberta; Cilia, Giovanni; Torracca, Beatrice; Felicioli, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft + Technologie =. Volume 84(2017)
• Page Start: 595
• Page End: 600
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Water activity -- Bee pollen -- Honey -- Pollen loads -- Bee pollen-honey mixture; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2017.06.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-6438

Abstract

Abstract: A mixture of bee pollen and honey could represent a complete food supplement for human diet. In this study, for three bee pollen-honey mixtures ratios at two storage times (0 and 90 days) at room temperature, water activity (aw ) were investigated. For the mixtures were employed Castanea and Eucalyptus pollen species, and acacia, chestnut and "beach" honeys. In the mixtures, Castanea and Eucalyptus pollen showed a different aw trend in relation to pollen concentration and to storage time. In Castanea -honeys mixtures and in Eucalyptus -honey mixtures (only at time 0) aw values were higher than each component of the corresponding mixtures. In Eucalyptus -honeys mixtures (only at time 90) aw values were lower than each component. This investigation highlights that honey, bee-pollen and their mixtures, stored at room temperature, could have a little change in their aw content, in time. Results shows that aw values of bee pollen mixed with honey were all lower than 0.7, although bee pollen-honey mixtures were stored at room temperature instead at freezing temperature (−15 °C) for 90 days. Highlights: Investigation of water activity in bee pollen, honey and bee pollen-honey mixtures. Bee pollen-honey mixtures ratios after 90 days at room temperature were analysed. Mixtures aw content were lower than 0.7, limit for pathogen microorganism growth. In Castanea -honey mixtures aw values were higher than each component. After 90 days, Eucalyptus -honeys mixtures aw values were lower than each component.