Honey from Butia palm groves: Pollen profile, physicochemical properties, and sensory attributes

Abstract

Butia is a socioeconomically important South American palm genus whose flowers attract various pollinators, including honey bees. This study analyzed honey collected from blooming Butia yatay groves, examining its pollen content, physicochemical and sensory properties to assess B. yatay’s influence. Pollen analysis identified B. yatay, Myrtaceae, and Eryngium horridum as dominant types, representing the first documented occurrence of B. yatay pollen in honey. The samples presented mostly amber coloration (83–103 mm Pfund), along with elevated mineral content and conductivity (980–1300 μS/cm). Potassium was the most abundant mineral (585–936 mg/kg), followed by sodium, magnesium, calcium, and trace amounts of iron and copper. Rheologically, the honey displayed predominantly Newtonian behavior at 25 °C, mild dilatancy at 10 °C and slight shear-thinning at 40 °C. Low crystallization correlated with favorable glucose-fructose-water ratios. Sensory analysis revealed fruity and woody notes with pronounced sweetness, distinguishing this honey from other local varieties. These findings enrich the current understanding of Argentina’s honey botanical diversity and support its valorization as a high-quality regional product. Furthermore, they promote the sustainable utilization of these native palm ecosystems and contribute to the global knowledge of bee foraging resources and the characterization of underexplored melliferous species.