Tryptophan and Biogenic Amines in the Differentiation and Quality of Honey

Author(s)

Borges, Cristine Vanz ; Nunes, Aline ; Costa, Vladimir Eliodoro ; Orsi, Ricardo de Oliveira ; Pereira Basilio, Leticia Silva ; Monteiro, Gean Charles ; Maraschin, Marcelo ; Pereira Lima, Giuseppina Pace

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRYPTOPHAN RESEARCH; v. 15, p. 12-pg., 2022-05-01.

Abstract

Honey is a natural product with beneficial properties to health and has different characteristics depending on the region of production and collection, flowering, and climate. The presence of precursor amino acids of- and biogenic amines can be important in metabolomic studies of differentiation and quality of honey. We analyzed 65 honeys from 11 distinct regions of the State of Santa Catarina (Brazil) as to the profile of amino acids and biogenic amines by HPLC. The highest L-tryptophan (Trp), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-OH-Trp), and tryptamine (Tryp) levels were detected in Cfb climate and harvested in 2019. Although we have found high content of serotonin. dopamine, and L-dopa in Cfb climate, the highest values occurred in honey produced during the summer 2018 and at altitudes above 900m. Results indicate that the amino acids and biogenic amine levels in honeys are good indicators of origin. These data warrant further investigation on the honey as source of amino acids precursor of serotonin. melatonin, and dopamine, what can guide the choice of food as source of neurotransmitters. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/22665-2 - Post-harvest technologies impact on the content of bioactive compounds in bananas, grape juice and turmeric
• Grantee: Giuseppina Pace Pereira Lima
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/27227-1 - Metabolomics applied to the typification and adulteration of floral honeys produced in the Santa Catarina and São Paulo States
• Grantee: Giuseppina Pace Pereira Lima
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants