Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Polish Meads

The purpose of this study was to evaluate phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of ten different meads of 1:1 and 1:2 types, produced with addition of fruit juices, root spices, and herbs. The total phenolic content in meads varied from 15.27 to 70.80 mg/dm3. The meads originated from dark honeys exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. The predominant phenolic compounds in meads were hydroxybenzoic acids, especially gallic and protocatechuic acid, originated mainly from honeys. Whereas, among the hydroxycinnamic acids, the major phenolic was chlorogenic acid, derived mainly from plant additives used in meads production. A principal component analysis was applied in order to differentiate the investigated meads. The 1:2 meads type could be best described by chlorogenic acid. Among the 1:1 meads type, those made from the dark honeys could be best described by gallic, p-coumaric, and protocatechuic acid while those made with addition of blackcurrant and raspberry juice could be described by caffeic a...