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Temporal variability of urban polyfloral honey reveals climatic and floral influences on bioactive properties
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DOI：10.3389/fsufs.2026.1858929.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
IntroductionUrban honey has emerged as a valuable component of sustainable agro-food systems; with potential to reflect environmental and climatic conditions affecting food quality and safety. While floral origin is a determining factor in honey quality; the influence of interannual climate variability-especially periods of drought-on the chemical and functional composition of urban honey in tropical regions has been understudied.MethodologySamples of urban polyfloral honey (MB1-MB9) collected between 2018 and 2024 from the same apiary in Guayaquil; Ecuador; under different seasonal conditions were analyzed. Physicochemical parameters; sugar composition; amino acid profile; phenolic content; antioxidant capacity; and antibacterial activity were evaluated. Standard analytical methods and multivariate statistical approaches were applied.Results and discussionThe results revealed significant temporal variability despite consistent geographic origin and management conditions; reflecting the combined influence of harvest month; seasonal conditions; floral resource availability; and interannual climatic variability. Honeys harvested between 2021 and early 2023 showed higher bioactive compound levels and antioxidant capacity; whereas samples collected during 2023–2024 exhibited reduced bioactivity; coinciding with prolonged drought conditions. Differences were also associated with harvest month and seasonal climatic conditions; particularly dry and rainy periods characteristic of the tropical climate of Guayaquil. Based on compositional and multivariate analysis; samples were classified as honey samples with physicochemical characteristics consistent with floral honey (MB1; MB2; MB3; MB7; MB9); intermediate floral–honeydew (MB5; MB6; MB8); and with strong honey samples showing physicochemical characteristics consistent with honeydew honey (MB4). These shifts suggest changes in foraging resources under climatic stress; influencing honey composition and functional properties.ConclusionThe findings highlight that urban honey composition is highly sensitive to environmental variability; supporting its use as a chemical and functional indicator of food quality and safety under changing climatic conditions. This study provides relevant insights for monitoring honey quality and promoting resilience in sustainable urban agro-food systems.
Keywords:
antibacterial activity
physicochemical properties
antioxidant activity
seasonal variability
urban honey
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