Chemical analysis on the safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius) honey collected from Xinjiang

In this study, the major constituents of honey collected from the safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius L) in Xinjiang were analyzed. The physiochemical properties, nutritional values and the bioactive components of the safflower honey were investigated.The results showed that safflower honey has abundant polyphenolic constituents as well as bioactive terpenes, which was firstly identified in honey. Average of the total phenolic content of safflower honey was 65.11 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, total flavonoid content was 16.60 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g and total terpenoid content was 9.36 mg ursolic acid equivalent/100 g. The value of honey freshness marker, diastase with a value of 39.08 m L/ ( g·h) , which is also significant higher than the national standard required. A wide variety of vitamins and minerals were also detected in our safflower honey samples, with high in Potassium ( 79.01 mg/100 g) and Calcium ( 2.69 mg/100 g) , low in Sodium ( 2.14 mg/100 g) .Vitamins are predominantly V_C and B vitamins.Safflower honey has a full range of amino acids ( 190 mg/100 g) , and the appropriate ratio between various amino acids. Proline is accounts for 23% of the total amino acids, with 44 mg/100 g in the honey. Taken together, as rich in comprehensive nutrients, Xinjiang safflower honey has great characters of high quality honey.It is expected, very soon, to become a feature of special honey and to be develop as a product of geographical indication.