Exploring the Physicochemical and Antioxidant Characteristics of Honey from Eastern Morocco: Insights into Potential Health Benefits and Molecular Docking Analysis

Azzedine Abeslami, Hammadi El Farissi (), Ali El Bachiri, Mariane Sindic, Marie-Laure Fauconnier, Etienne Bruneau and Abdelmonaem Talhaoui
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Azzedine Abeslami: Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Hammadi El Farissi: Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Ali El Bachiri: Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Mariane Sindic: Laboratory of Agro-Food Quality and Safety, Faculty of the Agronomic Sciences, University Liege of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Beekeeping Research and Information Centre (CARI), 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Marie-Laure Fauconnier: Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Molecules, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Liege University, Passage des Déportés 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Etienne Bruneau: Beekeeping Research and Information Centre (CARI), 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
Abdelmonaem Talhaoui: Laboratory of Environment and Applied Chemistry (LCAE), Team: Physical Chemistry of the Natural Resources and Processes, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: This study evaluates the physicochemical properties, phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and molecular docking interactions of honey from eastern Morocco. Analysis confirmed compliance with European Commission standards, with moisture content ranging from 15.39% to 19.74% and pH between 3.79 and 4.94. Carob honey exhibited the highest protein content (0.42%), polyphenol concentration (720.16 mg gallic acid/kg), flavonoid content (90.5 mg catechin/kg), and antioxidant activity (63.5% DPPH inhibition). Strong correlations were observed between phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant properties. Molecular docking identified ethyl phenylacetate and thymol as key compounds with significant interactions with cytochrome c peroxidase, suggesting potential therapeutic effects. DFT calculations supported these findings, indicating these compounds may enhance antioxidant activity. The study highlights the exceptional quality and antioxidant capacity of honey from eastern Morocco, reflecting its unique floral sources and potential as a natural source of antioxidants with therapeutic benefits.

Keywords: eastern Morocco honey; antioxidant activity; physicochemical properties; total phenolic content; total flavonoid content; molecular docking; DFT (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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