Determination of physicochemical, antioxidant and bioactive properties of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) honey obtained from two different altitudes

The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical, antioxidant and bioactive properties of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) honey produced at two different altitudes (Gülyalı and Gürgentepe districts) in Ordu province. For this purpose, a total of 4 different chestnut honey samples obtained from two different chestnut honey producers in Gülyalı and Gürgentepe districts were analysed. Firstly, the honey samples were visualised by light microscopy to determine whether the honey samples were monofloral or not and it was determined that all samples were monofloral. When the proline values of chestnut honeys were analysed, the average proline value (647.10) of chestnut honeys obtained from Gülyalı district (sea level) was higher than the proline value (304.85) of chestnut honeys obtained from Gürgentepe district (high altitude). The diastase activity of chestnut honeys obtained from Gülyalı district (18.90) was higher than the diastase activity of chestnut honeys obtained from Gürgentepe district (12.22), and the electrical conductivity values of chestnut honeys obtained from Gülyalı and Gürgentepe districts were determined as 1.29 and 0.5 mS/cm, respectively. Total phenolic content values of honey samples obtained from Gülyalı district were found to be higher than total phenolic content values of honey samples obtained from Gürgentepe district. In terms of DPPH radical scavenging percentages, the DPPH radical scavenging percentages of honey samples obtained from Gülyalı district were found to be higher than the DPPH radical scavenging activity of honey samples obtained from Gürgentepe district. At the same time, except for B. cereus, diluted chestnut honey samples showed good inhibition effects, and the highest inhibition was obtained against pathological bacteria of M. luteus, L. monocytogenes, E. Fecalis, E. coli and S. Cerevisiae fungus. Again, it was determined that the examined chestnut honey samples had very high antioxidant activity and the electrochemical antioxidant activity of honey samples was not directly related to the altitude at which the honey was produced.