This chapter is focused on the application of electrochemical techniques
(e.g., sensors and biosensors), as the predominant methodology, to the quantification of
individual or total phenolic compounds, either in standard solutions or in real matrices
(e.g., plants, fruits and beverages) and their capability for assessing antioxidant
activity/capacity. Specially, the potential application to evaluate antioxidant capacity of
bee-hives products (e.g., propolis, honey) is addressed. Finally, the voltammetric
behavior of Portuguese monofloral honeys is discussed for the first time, taking into
account the expected effects of honey color and floral origin.
Also, a possible relation with the expected antioxidant capacity of honeys is discussed,
considering their floral origin. Works describing the use of electrochemical detection
imbibed on liquid chromatographic or capillary electrophoretic configurations among
other analytical methods will not be focused in this review, although their undoubtedly
potentials and proved applications.
Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Bee products, Cyclic voltammetry, Differential
pulse voltammetry, Electrochemical techniques, Honey, Phenolic compounds,
Pollen, Propolis, Square wave voltammetry.