Assessing Rubus honey value: Pollen and phenolic compounds content and antibacterial capacity

Twenty-three honey samples from Galicia (Northwest Spain) were analysed to determine their botanical origin, phenolic compounds and antibacterial activity. In all samples Rubus pollen was predominant, followed by that of Castanea sativa. Other important pollens found belong to Cytisus type, Trifolium repens, Echium, Eucalyptus globulus, Erica umbellata, Erica cinerea, Campanula type and Frangula alnus. Eight phenolic compounds (caffeic, p-coumaric and ellagic acids, pinocembrin, chrysin, galangin, tectochrysin and kaempferol) were determined by solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by HPLC/DAD analysis. p-Coumaric and ellagic acids were the main constituents of the phenolic fraction (ca. 5.5 mg/kg each, mean value), followed by the pair chrysin plus galangin (ca. 1.2 mg/kg, mean value) and pinocembrin (ca. 1.0 mg/kg, mean value). Antibacterial activity was checked against five Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus cereus) and four Gram-negative bacteria (Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium). B. cereus and P. mirabilis were the most sensitive microorganisms. This is the first study concerning the phenolic compounds and antibacterial activity of Rubus honey, which proved to be a good source of phenolic compounds and antimicrobial agents with potential health benefits. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.