Automatic NMR-based protocol for assessment of honey authenticity

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is crucial for analyzing honey's botanical and entomological origin.
• Specific NMR signals identify floral types and bee metabolites, aiding in honey authentication.
• Current methods for honey screening can be complex and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simplified NMR-based screening method for honey adulteration.
• To introduce two novel spectral parameters, the entomological factor (EF) and aromatic factor (AF), for rapid honey analysis.
• To assess the effectiveness of the EF and AF method in detecting sugar syrup dilution.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized proton NMR (¹H NMR) spectroscopy on organic honey extracts.
• Two spectral parameters, EF and AF, were calculated by integrating specific regions of the NMR spectrum.
• The developed method was validated against official techniques using honeys of diverse floral origins.

Main Results:

• The EF and AF parameters effectively detected honey dilution with sugar syrups.
• The method successfully identified all adulterated honey samples previously confirmed by official techniques.
• Several honey samples deemed genuine by official methods were identified as non-genuine using the proposed NMR approach.

Conclusions:

• The developed NMR screening method provides a fast and reliable way to detect honey adulteration.
• The entomological factor (EF) and aromatic factor (AF) offer a simplified yet powerful tool for honey quality control.
• This approach enhances the ability to ensure honey authenticity, surpassing the sensitivity of some current official methods.