Changes in physicochemical and antioxidant properties over one year of Apis mellifera honey

Objective: Quantify the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of honey harvested in the four seasons of the year, to determine the variation in its quality with respect to official standards. Design/methodology/approach: Honey samples were collected in the municipality of Tantoyuca, during the four seasons of the year, in the presence or absence of rain. For each sample, color, electrical conductivity, moisture, pH, free acidity, diastase activity, total reducing sugars, Brix degrees, caloric content, phenolic and total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity were determined by the FRAP and ABTS assays. Results: The Brix degrees and moisture were found within the limits accepted by NOM-004-SAG/GAN-2018 and CXS 12-1981 throughout the year, however, in the rainy period these variables were higher (82.1 °Brix and 19.6 g 100 g-1). The FRAP and ABTS values ​​showed variation depending on the absence or presence of rain. The highest antioxidant content occurred in the winter season (63.91 and 68.82 µmol TE 100 g-1). The results obtained are attributed to the geographical origin and the floral species present during the bees' foraging. Limitations on study/implications: Climate change in the region has decreased rainfall, reducing the floristic resource. Findings/conclusions: The effect of the season of the year affects the characteristics of the honey evaluated, however, it complies with the parameters established in the Mexican standard and the codex alimentarius, which can encourage and support its commercialization in the international market.