Diastase and invertase activities in Andalusian honeys

Summary Forty‐nine samples of unheated, commercially purchased Andalusian (southern Spain) honeys were examined for diastase (α‐ and β‐amylase) and invertase (α‐glucosidase) activities. The honeys were from Citrus sp. (5), Sunflower (2), Rosmarinus (3), Eucalyptus sp. (4) or multifloral in origin (35). Mean value for diastase was 20.48 ± 10.14 (range 3.99–49.42) expressed as diastase number in Gothe's scale, for invertase it was 12.34 ± 8.09 (range 1.2–36.8) expressed as invertase number. Correlation was found between invertase and diastase activities (r = 0.853). These results were compared with literature data and differences are discussed.