PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, COMPOSITION AND POLLEN SPECTRUM OF FRENCH LAVENDER (LAVANDULA-STOECHAS L) HONEY PRODUCED IN SPAIN

The palynological and physico-chemical properties of 26 samples of French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) honey commercially produced in Spain have been defined. Each sample was examined to determine the total pollen content, percentage of L. stoechas pollen and pollen spectrum. On the basis of the honey pollen analysis, 14 samples were excluded as they were of different botanical origin (Echium spp.). In total 67 different pollen types were identified. The sugar spectrum showed low percentages of trisaccharides and sucrose. The enzymatic activity was lower than that found in other unifloral Spanish honeys. A minimum of 10% L. stoechas pollen and maximum of 30% Echium sp. pollen are the suggested requirements to characterize this honey.