Influence of geographic origin on the profile and level of phenolic compounds in Italian strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey

Strawberry tree honey is attracting attention for its high nutritional value and several beneficial effects of human health. These properties have been related to its high content in phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Strawberry tree honey is not commonly available, because it is harvested only in autumn and in very few locations, therefore its market price is higher than that of other unifloral honeys. The profile and content of 15 phenolic compounds: cis,trans-abscisic acid, rutin, luteolin, quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, naringenin, hesperetin chrysin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid were studied in strawberry tree honey samples from two Italian regions, Sicily and Sardinia. The samples demonstrated a high content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant proper ties, with a particularly high levels of abscisic, chlorogenic, coumaric and syringic acids, together with luteolin, rutin and kaempferol. The geographical origin of honey significantly influenced the parameters studied, confirming that straw berry tree honey properties are attributable to both its botanical and geographical origin, which should be valorized