Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Croatian and German honey

Since honey has a therapeutic role in the treatment of many diseases, we investigated the content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity in acacia (<i>Robinia pseudoacacia</i> L.), chestnut (<i>Castanea sativa</i> Mill.) and lime-tree (<i>Tilia</i> spp.) honey originating from Croatia and Germany. Total phenols, flavonols, and flavanols contents were observed at higher levels in Croatian <i>Castanea</i> honey compared to German <i>Castanea</i> honey. Significant higher values of total flavanols and hydroxycinnamic acids were measured in Croatian <i>Tilia</i> honey compared to German <i>Tilia</i> honey. For <i>Robinia</i> honey, significantly higher values of total phenols and flavonols were observed in almost all Croatian honey samples compared to German honey. Croatian honey samples had higher antioxidant activity compared to German honey samples with most tested methods. The highest total phenols, total flavanols, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP values were measured in <i>Castanea</i> honey, then in <i>Robinia</i> honey, and the lowest values in <i>Tilia</i> honey samples. With new developed HPLC method, pinobanksin, pinocembrin, and chrysin were identified in the majority of honey samples. Our results imply that both botanical and geographical origin influence the final quality of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in honey. A high positive correlation between the results of antioxidant activity and polyphenols was detected.