Raman Spectroscopy and Chemometric Modeling to Predict Physical-Chemical Honey Properties from Campeche, Mexico

In this work, 10 chemometric models based on Raman spectroscopy were constructed to predict the physicochemical properties of honey produced in the state of Campeche, Mexico. The properties of honey studied were pH, moisture, total soluble solids (TSS), free acidity, lactonic acidity, total acidity, electrical conductivity, Redox potential, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and ash content. These proprieties were obtained according to the methods described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Codex Alimentarius, and the International Honey Commission. For the construction of the chemometric models, 189 honey samples were collected and analyzed in triplicate using Raman spectroscopy to generate the matrix data [X], which were correlated with each of the physicochemical properties [Y]. The predictive capacity of each model was determined by cross validation and external validation, using the statistical parameters: standard error of calibration (SEC), standard error of prediction (SEP), coefficient of determination of cross-validation (R²_cal), coefficient of determination for external validation (R²_val), and Student's t-test. The statistical results indicated that the chemometric models satisfactorily predict the humidity, TSS, free acidity, lactonic acidity, total acidity, and Redox potential. However, the models for electric conductivity and pH presented an acceptable prediction capacity but not adequate to supply the conventional processes, while the models for predicting ash content and HMF were not satisfactory. The developed models represent a low-cost tool to analyze the quality of honey, and contribute significantly to increasing the honey distribution and subsequently the economy of the region.