Filipe, Márcia SantosPires, Tânia C.S.P.Calhelha, Ricardo C.Diaz-Lanza, Ana MaríaVilas-Boas, MiguelFalcão, SoraiaRijo, Patrícia2024-05-062024-05-062023Filipe, Márcia Santos; Pires, Tânia C.S.P.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Diaz-Lanza, Ana María; Vilas-Boas, Miguel; Falcão, Soraia; Rijo, Patrícia (2023). Medicinal centauri honey: a promising ingredient? Planta Médica. ISSN 0032-0943. 89:14, p. 1325-13260032-0943http://hdl.handle.net/10198/29717Honey is a natural product with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, has been used as a medicinal substance for centuries. Thisnatural product is main- ly composed of a supersaturated solution of sugars, containing low water con- tent and trace amounts of bioactive compounds. The flower source, climate, geographical origin, harvesting process and storage conditions are factors that influence the composition of the nectar, leading to significant changes in the chemical composition, physical properties, and bioactivity of honey1. Centau- ri Honey is harvested from bee colonies located in the wild Alps of Turkey ́s mountainous region, approximately 2,500 meters above the Black Sea. The bees live in caves far from human settlements and other bees, and they have access to medicinal endemic blooms throughout the year. The aim of this work was to investigate the quality, physicochemical, nutrition- al parameters, and bioactivity of honey. The quality and physiochemical pa- rameters was analysed by colour, moisture content, conductivity, pH and acidity, 5-HMF (5-Hydroxymethylfurfural), diastase index and proline. The nutritional values were determined assessing ash, protein content, sugars, carbohydrates and energy. The biological activity was evaluated through the antioxidant, antimicrobial activity (broth microdilution method) and cytotox- icity in cell lines (AGS, CaCo-2, MCF-7, NCI-H460, PLP2, HFF-2, and HaCat), and anti-inflammatory activity (using RAW 264.7 macrophages). Further studies are ongoing to scientifically validate the medicinal properties of Centauri Honey due to its exceptional chemical composition and thus to become an innovative Ingredient.engconference object10.1055/s-0043-17739641439-0221