Δείτε επίσης:

Μελισσοτροφές και κίνδυνοι

Ο κίνδυνος από τις μελισσοτροφές

Irrigation water suitability - Quality indicators for irrigation use and solutions

Nutrient competition in fertilizers

One of the most critical parameters that beekeepers control is the diastase activity as it largely determines the purchase price from traders. First of all, let us mention that diastase is an enzyme (an amylase) and its job is to degrade starch. European Directive 2001/110 has determined that all flower and honeydew honeys must have a diastase activity greater than 8 Shade units, with the exception of orange honey which, due to a lack of enzymes, may have a diastase activity greater than 3.

Why does diastase activity determine the price of the product and is an indicator of quality?

Diastase activity decreases when the enzyme is destroyed or when the enzyme is absent. Low diastase values have been linked to excessive feeding as the bee is not allowed to find food from a multitude of flowers which would give us a high activity value. In addition, a low activity value means that the shelf life of the honey is reduced and also that the merchant cannot mix it with other honeys by heating as there is a risk of total destruction of the enzyme.

When is diastase activity low?

Diastase as an enzyme is affected by heating, by the number and type of flowers and honeydew and by feeding. It is affected by heating because the enzyme is destroyed by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Also, if the honey is from acacia, pine, orange, then depending on the case, the diastase activity decreases. Finally, if the feedings are many and very close to the harvest, the diastase activity also decreases. In more detail:

-Areas with high temperatures are expected to have lower diastasis values as the temperature of the hives can reach temperatures even higher than 45 degrees Celsius for many days. In these cases, beekeepers are not responsible and a change in legislation is required for these areas.

-Arbutus Unedo and orange honey as well as pure pine honeys usually have lower diastase values due to a lack of enzymes. And in this case, beekeepers are not responsible, as specifically for aloe vera honey, there should also be a change in legislation, as has been done with orange.

-Excessive feeding. Here there is a need to change the mentality of large quantities of honey at the expense of quality. Feeding is considered adulteration especially when done in the wrong periods (e.g. summer). However, diastasis alone cannot be an indicator of adulteration and should be checked simultaneously with HMF and sugars to prove it. 

Is honey with a low diastase value dangerous for the consumer?

If the low diastase value is due to exposure of the honey to high temperatures or if it is due to the type of flowers then it is not dangerous. Honey becomes dangerous when it has been subjected to  excessive sugar or syrups.

Which honeys usually have high diastase values?

The honeys with the highest diastase values are usually oak honeys. Oak honeys can exhibit diastase activity greater than 30.

If you like our articles, follow us on facebook and subscribe to our youtube channel

For more information please fill out the Contact Form below or call us at 2231 2231 99 from 9:00 to 17:00.

Φόρμα Επικοινωνίας

Author: Πασιάς ΙωάννηςWebsite: https://pasiaslab.gr/

Τεχνικός Υπεύθυνος Γενικού Χημείου «Πασιάς - Ραπτοπούλου», Επιστημονικός συνεργάτης Webinarium

Ειδικότητα:

Διδάκτωρ Χημείας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών

Περισσότερα άρθρα του συντάκτη:

• Foliar nutrient interventions in the olive tree depending on what we want to achieve
• Irrigation water suitability - Quality indicators for irrigation use and solutions
• Ποιες χημικές αναλύσεις να επιλέξω για το δικό μου μέλι;
• Nutrient competition in fertilizers

Twitter