Biochemical, physicochemical and melissopalynological analyses of two multifloral honey types from Brazil and their influence on mead production

• Published in: Journal of apicultural research Vol. 60; no. 5; pp. 784 - 796
• Main Authors: Suzart Araújo, Geiza, Sampaio, Kayque Frota, Santos, Flávia Santana, Bastos, Tamires da Silva, Oliveira, Paulino Pereira, de Carvalho, Giovani Brandão Mafra, de Souza, Sílvia Maria Almeida, Martínez, Ernesto Acosta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 20-10-2021
• Subjects: fermentation; honey; mead; S. bayanus Premier Blanc; S. cerevisiae Montrachet; S. cerevisiae Safbrew T58
• ISSN: 0021-8839; 2078-6913
• DOI: 10.1080/00218839.2020.1828236

The present work aimed to evaluate the biochemical, physicochemical and melissopalynological characteristics of two honey types obtained from the same production period (a light one and a dark one) and to apply them in the fermentative process of mead by three yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Montrachet, Saccharomyces bayanus Premier Blanc and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Safbrew T-58), incubated at 30 °C and 150 rpm for 24 h. The fermentations were carried out in 500 mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing honey must (30
o
Brix), supplemented with yeast extract (5 g.L
−1
), malt extract (5 g.L
−1
), peptone (10 g.L
−1
), magnesium chloride (0.05 g.L
−1
), ammonium sulfate (0.3 g. L
−1
) and ammonium phosphate (0.05 g.L
−1
), inoculated with an initial culture of 10
6
cells. mL
−1
and incubated at 30 °C for 264 h. A difference in the honey's melissopalynological profile was observed, as well as a consequent difference in the physicochemical characteristics. Higher cell growth was observed: S. cerevisiae Montrachet (9.5 x 10
7
cells.mL
−1
, 72 h), S. bayanus Premier Blanc (9.2 x 10
7
cells.mL
−1
, 72 h) and S. cerevisiae Safbrew T-58 (6.1 x 10
7
cells.mL
−1
, 96 h), as well as a higher substrate consumption (80.7, 86.3 and 73.8%) and higher ethanol production (14.0, 15.0 and 12.7%), respectively, in the fermentation of the must with dark honey.