A research on various quality properties Thrace region's special sunflower honey, oak honey and furze honey

This study is intended to examine; sunflower honey produced from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) pollen, oak honey produced from oak tree (Quercus) secretion, furze (Paliurus spina-christi Miller) produced from the secretion of the furze honey samples of various quality characteristics (physical, chemical properties) found in Thrace region. For this purpose, a total of 15 honey samples were obtained from 5 different bee breeders from different locations in the Trakya region. The electrical conductivity values of sunflower honey samples were determined between 0,421 - 0,920 ms / cm, the electrical conductivity values of oak honey samples were between 0,864 - 1,562 ms / cm, and the electrical conductivity values of furze honey samples were between 0,806 - 0,995 ms / cm. Ash quantities of sunflower honey samples were determined between 0.12% and 0.66%, ash content of oak honey samples were between 0.63% - 0.99%, ash content of furze honey samples were between 0.13% - 1.02%. The moisture values of sunflower honey samples were determined 15.4% - 19.6%, moisture values of oak honey samples were between 15,8% -17,6%, moisture values of furze honey samples were between 16,4% -19,4%. pH values of sunflower honey samples were determined between 4.01 - 5.31, pH values of oak honey samples were between 4.80 - 5.06, pH values of furze honey samples were between 5.27-5.94. Invert sugar values of sunflower honey samples were determined between (%) 72,92-78,13, invert sugar values of oak honey samples were between (%) 61,77- 74, 38, invert sugar values of furze honey samples were between (%) 67,12- 68,54. Free acidity values of sunflower honey samples were determined between (mEq / kg) 12,83-24,56, free acidity values of oak honey samples were between (mEq / kg) 30,43- 46,42, free acidity values of furze honey samples were between 9.82-11.81. Diastase values of sunflower honey samples were determined between (ds / dn) 8,9- 30,5, diastasis values of oak honey samples were between (ds / dn) 19,6- 28,9, diastasis values of furze honey samples were between (ds / dn) 23,3- 43,6. HMF was detected in all of the sunflower honey samples, one of the oak honey samples and two of furze samples. This indicates that the honey samples concerned has been subjected to heat treatment or is not stored under suitable conditions. Key words: Sunflower Honey, Oak Honey, Furze Honey, HMF