PROPERTIES OF HONEY AND POLLEN SAMPLES OBTAINED FROM DIFFERENT RHODODENDRON SPECIES COLLECTED FROM BLACK SEA REGION OF TURKEY

Abstract

Physicochemical properties as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial capabilities of Rhododendron honey and pollen produced in Turkey were determined. Monofloral honey samples from three different Rhododendron species (R. ponticum L., R. luteum L., and R. caucasicum L.) were collected from the mountains of the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. The experimental results revealed that each crude extract of honey and pollen exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal capacity in the bacteria and fungus. The pollen samples and SEM images have been analysed and recorded. The total phenolic contents and antioxidative activities of the samples were investigated based on DPPH free radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidative power potentials, and higher phenolic content and antioxidant activities were observed for pollen samples with respect to honey. Furthermore, the potential to inhibit Acetyl- and Butrylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidation were evaluated. The potential to inhibit DNA damage were also studied, and R. ponticum honey was observed to influence most positively damaged DNA.