Influence of different heat treatment regimes on the change of chemical composition and antibacterial activity of bee honey

Abstract

The studies of the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of heather honey (Calluna vulgaris) subjected to heat treatment at 35–40°C for 12 hours were carried out. The temperature range (38–40°C), at which decrease in the H2O2 concentration, decrease in D-glucose-1-oxidase activity and increase in the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural content, was identified. The degree of chemical changes was directly proportional to the temperature and time of thermal exposure. The correlation between changes in the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of honey against test microorganisms Escherichia coli (strain 1257), Staphylococcus aureus (strain 209-P) and Bacillus cereus (strain 96) was established. The obtained results showed that heating honey to 37 °C even for 12 hours didn’t cause undesirable changes in its chemical composition and decrease in antibacterial activity. Thus, this temperature regime can be considered more gentle and recommended for use in the heat treatment of this food product.