An Important Value of Turkey: Lavender (Lavandula stoaches L.) Honey

Abstract

Lavandula stoechas L., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is locally known as “karabaşotu, karan, gargan, keşişotu” and is used in central nervous system diseases (epilepsy and migraine), in the treatment of various wounds and in reducing blood sugar. It is also used as analgesic, antiseptic, sedative, expectorant, cardiotonic and to heal eczema. L. stoechas L. is also well known good nectar source for the honeybees. In this study, melissopalynological, total phenolic and chemical compound analysis of L. stoechas L. honey produced in Kemalpaşa-İzmir was examined. To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted on this subject in Turkey. As a result of the study, 10 plant taxa were determined in the honey and L. stoechas L. pollen was found to be dominant with 41.37%. Sanguisorba spp., Cistaceae, Ericaceae, Rosaceae, Trifolium spp., Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Echium spp. plants, respectively, were detected in the honey in important minor and minor proportions. In addition to melissopalynological analysis, total phenolic and chemical compounds analyses were performed. As a result of total phenolic analysis 385.7223±2.253298101 mgGAE/L was found as a total phenolic amount. On the other hand, acetic acids and esters (5.87%), aldehydes (3.05%), alcohols (1.59%), carboxylic acids and esters (18.10%), fatty acids and esters (27.22%), hydrocarbons (7.96%), ketones (14.98%), terpenes (2.56%) and other chemical compounds (6.63%) were determined by the GC-MS analysis.