## 2 Materials and Methods
### Correlation Between Altitude and Studied Parameters  
In Figure 2, correlation matrices showing the relationships between altitude and total phenols and total flavonoids are reported. The correlation between altitude and TPC was negative, intermediate and not significant (r = \(-\)0.30), while with flavonoids, it was positive and intermediate but not significant (r = 0.20). These results suggest that altitude is only partly responsible for the TPC and TFC of multifocal honey samples. The TPC and TFC are phytochemicals in plants whose biosynthesis is influenced by several environmental factors, such as the average temperature, soil, atmospheric pressure, duration of vegetation period and radiation intensity, which in turn are influenced by the cultivation altitude [70].  
[PERSON] et al. [13] observed a higher phenolic content in Ziziphus honey samples collected at low altitudes due to higher nectar secretion due to more favorable ambient temperature.  
In this study, high and significant correlations were found between altitude and antioxidant activity using FRAP and ABTS (\(p\) < 0.001; Figure 2). [PERSON] et al. [71] reported that the increase in antioxidant activity in honey depends on the abundance of some plant essences that characterize the bee pasture as well as the botanical origins; furthermore, the presence of these essences is strongly influenced by the altitude that determines ecological and geographical changes. In support, [PERSON] et al. [72] highlighted the importance of altitude in influencing the chemical characteristics of plant nectar that determine changes in metabolites in honey, especially the components that promote health. Health benefits are influenced by the bioavailability of phytochemicals and their absorption and the metabolic pathways detected in honey [73]. In general, it is known that polyphenols are responsible for the activity of the intestinal microbiota and its composition, and they are involved in phase I of metabolism (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, etc.) and phase II (conjugation) [74].  
Positive and significant correlations (\(p\) < 0.001) were observed between altitude and Mg (r = 0.87), Al (r = 0.51), Mn (r = 0.83) and Pb (r = 0.85), while negative correlations were observed between altitude and Na (r = \(-\)0.74), Cr (r = \(-\)0.71), V (r = \(-\)0.47), Co (r = \(-\)0.53) and Cd (r = \(-\)0.76), and therefore, as the altitude increases, the presence of these minerals decreases. Minerals detected in honey come from both natural sources (soil and plants) and anthropogenic sources [3]. [PERSON] et al. [75] highlighted the effect of soil type on plant nectar production. Depending on the minerals present in the soil, there is a positive effect on the production of flowers and, consequently, on the quantity of the nectar of plants visited by bees. For example, [PERSON] et al. [76] showed that Mn influences the number of flowers of plants and the quantity of the total nectar; again, the positive influence of the mineral composition of the soil on the production of nectar was confirmed for another milleritic plant, _Allium ursimum_ L. [PERSON] et al. [45] highlighted the correlation between the contents of some elements, such as Fe, Mn and Ca, and the type of soil.  
In support, [PERSON] et al. [77] and [PERSON] et al. [45] reported that the mineral profile of honey can be influenced by the type of soil on which the hive is located and the soil on which the pasture is located; however, the soil and pasture are influenced by altitude. Inconclusion, depending on the altitude, honey can be more or less rich in mineral components important for the health of the consumer, such as Zn, Co, Mn and others which are implicated in numerous biochemical processes.