The quality of twenty Algerian honeys was assessed based on their palynological and physicochemical properties, and their trace and toxic elements composition. A qualitative pollen analysis was conducted to estimate the botanical origin. The physicochemical analyses included moisture content, pH, electrical conductivity, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), colour, and the content of 3 sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose). The analysis of mineral and heavy metals included Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, and As. The pollen spectrum showed a great diversity with 60 taxa identified. The palynological analyses revealed the presence of 15 honeys with pollen dominance (unifloral): Citrus sp., Eucalyptus sp., Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam., Sinapis arvensis L., Dorycnium sp., Bupleurum sp., Echium sp., Lotus sp., and 5 honeys without pollen dominance (polyfloral). The physicochemical results showed that the samples conform to international quality standards, with few exceptions related to HMF, mainly due to beekeeping practices. The colour was from water white to dark amber. Pb and Cd concentrations were found to be below the maximum residue limits set by the European Directive with which the toxic elements were compared. These results would contribute to the assessment of Algerian honey and provide a database for the regulation of honey trade and consumer protection.

The study involves a comparison between two application methods: traditional vacuum packaging and a film coating using thyme essential oil (TEO). The objective is to evaluate how effective these techniques are in preserving the quality and longevity of date fruit for storage periods of up to six months.The results highlighted that the selection of the preservation technique significantly affected various aspects. Thyme-coated dates (CD) exhibited notably higher moisture retention (35.1%), especially when stored in cold conditions. Additionally, CD showed reduced browning rates, attributed to its ascorbic acid content (0.112 and 0.094) in both cold and room temperature storage after six months. Furthermore, CD generally maintained lower sugar levels compared to the highest value, and after four months of storage, it displayed significantly higher flavonoid levels (119,313 mu g/mL).In terms of microbial growth, CD experienced significantly greater bacterial growth during cold storage (9.34 log10 CFU/g after four months), but lower growth when stored at room temperature (8.66 log10 CFU/g after four months). Interestingly, CD initially demonstrated the least fungal growth at both cold and room temperatures, while vacuum packaging (VP) showed the lowest growth after six months.This research suggests that thyme coating presents itself as a promising and environmentally friendly solution for extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of date fruit. However, it's essential to carefully consider the choice of storage conditions and duration. These findings hold significance for producers, consumers, and the entire supply chain within the date industry.

The objective of this research was to develop a novel low-sugar orange nectar using Stevia Rebaudiana and tragacanth gum, aiming to enhance the anti-hyperglycemic effect and antioxidant stability. The experimental design involved varying two levels of Stevia and tragacanth gum, including central points. The oxidative stability and organoleptic test were required for the selection. The impact of daily consumption of the optimal nectar on postprandial glycemia was assessed in diabetic Wistar rats. The results demonstrated that formulation F1, containing 0.5% tragacanth and 0.03% Stevia, achieved the highest organoleptic score (9.55) and exhibited the greatest stability, with half-life times of 83.87 days at 4 degrees C and 76.26 days at 25 degrees C. The in-vivo antidiabetic study revealed a positive effect of this formulation in preventing postprandial hyperglycemia and weight gain. This research clearly highlights the importance of incorporating 0.03% Stevia and 0.5% tragacanth in the formulation of low-sugar orange nectar to ensure functional efficacy and technological stability.