Browsing by Author "Rios, Francisco"
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- A chemometric approach: characterization of quality and authenticity of artisanal honeys from ArgentinaPublication . Rios, Francisco; Sanchez, Ana Carina; Lobo, Manuel; Lupo, Liliana; Coelho, Inês; Castanheira, Isabel; Samman, NormaThe demand of honey with defined quality has increased around the world; therefore, an adequate description of the traceability and authenticity of honeys is necessary. The pollen and physicochemical characteristics of 58 honey samples collected from five different environmental units (EUs) of the Jujuy province (Argentine) were determined,in order to differentiate them by geographical origin through the application of chemometric methods. A qualitative pollen analysis was performed by microscopy. The physicochemical characteristics were determined by Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. Correspondence analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were performed. Forty-five per cent of honeys were monofloral; nearly half of them correspond to native species—among which, Salix humboldtiana, Baccharis sp. and Ziziphus mistol stood out. Physicochemical and microbiological analysis showed acceptable quality for honeys. CA characterized significantly honeys from four different EUs using all pollen data. While forward stepwise coupled to LDA identified 14 significant variables to build a discriminatory model with three significant discriminant functions, a cumulative variance of 94% was reached. Thus, 86%of the samples were correctly classified. PCA and LDA applied to physicochemical data allowed to distinguish three different groups with a significant function (p<0.01) that explained 90% of the total variability. Honey corresponding to EU III Subandean Hills of Santa Bárbara was the most accurately classified by pollen and physicochemical data. The application of chemometric methods to pollen data and physicochemical parameters may be a useful tool to determine honey geographical origin.
- Evaluation of mineral and proximate composition of honeys from different geographical regions applying EuroFIR quality assessment guidelinesPublication . Mota, Carla; Bento, Ana Cristina; Nascimento, Ana Cláudia; Coelho, Mariana; Gueifão, Sandra; Rios, Francisco; Oliveira, Maria João; Castanheira, IsabelHoney is natural product that gain popularity in food industry as no processed sweetener. Honey composition is highly influenced by the types of flowers used by the bees as well as regional and climatic conditions. Honey composition profile gained special attention by scientific community due to high nutritional value and health claims. In this work proximal and mineral profile of multi-floral honey from Argentina, Portugal and Mozambique were determined and reported for the first time. Therefore the nutrient analysis and chemical properties with the purpose to be included in national Food Composition Databank and disseminated through EuroFIR e-search platform was carried out. Ash, Moisture, and Protein content, °Brix sugar, pH and electrical conductivity were determined by AOAC methods and Calcium, Copper, Iron, Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, were analyzed by or ICP-OES and Selenium by ICP-MS. The values were obtained applying quality criteria as defined by EuroFIR guidelines for laboratory analysis. This required criteria on sample handling, an appropriate analytical method in terms of precision and accuracy, limit of quantification selectivity, and an effective internal and external quality control program including appropriate use of Certified Reference Materials and participation in adequate Proficiency Testing Schemes carried out by laboratories hold ISO/EN 17025. Guidelines for laboratory performance are paramount to guarantee the acceptability of values in EuroFIR and others Food Data Organizations. This provides the necessary information to the users of Food Composition Databanks who wish to have an overview of the parameters, which influence the estimation of nutrient intake, and may affect the diet-disease relationship.
- Physicochemical Properties and Mineral Profile of Honeys from Argentina, Portugal and AngolaPublication . Santos, Mariana; Mota, Carla; Nascimento, Ana Cláudia; Rios, Francisco; Samman, Norma; Coelho, Inês; Gueifão, Sandra; Castanheira, IsabelHoney is a natural sweet product which gained increasing interest of scientific community, specially due to its high nutritional value and health benefits. Honey composition is highly influenced by type of flowers, regional and climatic conditions and its quality also depends on proper producing and processing technology. These explain the differences presented by honeys from different regions. In this work proximal and mineral profile of multi-floral honeys from selected regions of Argentina, Portugal, and Angola were determined and reported for the first time. Therefore the nutrient analysis and chemical properties with the purpose to be included in national Food Composition Databank and disseminated through EuroFIR e-search platform was carried out. Ash, Moisture, °Brix sugar, pH and electrical conductivity were determined by AOAC methods. Manganese. iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium were analyzed by ICP-OES and, copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and selenium by IC P-MS. Analyzed honeys showed °Brix sugar ranged 77-82 at 20ºC. Moisture content and acidity is according with legislation, <18% and < 50mEq respectively, showing the good quality of tested samples. Ash content ranged 0.08-0.40 g/100g. Potassium was the most abundant mineral content ranging from 53-171mg/100g, phosphorus values varies between 5-12mg/100g, calcium from 4-8 mg/100g, magnesium from 2-5 mg/100g and manganese from 0.10-0.15mg/100g. Selenium and cadmium contents were below 23 µg/kg and 11 µg/kg respectively. Lead values ranged from <23-178 µg/kg. Based on these results honeys under study can be considered a good source of minerals, with numerous health benefits associated. Also, as expected, results showed differences in composition among honeys obtained from different regions. The use of EuroFIR guidelines for determination of proximate, mineral and trace elements contents reveled that data obtained could be used as a contribution to honey quality and authenticity.