HPTLC fingerprinting for botanical origin assessment of Greek honeys

The composition of honey, an intricate matrix, depends on a plethora of endogenous and exogenous factors like bee species, harvesting conditions and climate among others. However, the most significant factor is on which flowers the bees feed, which directly affects its properties, its quality and, finally, the consumers [1]. The plants from which the nectar is gathered additionally influence its market value and often leads to adulteration practices, namely mixing with other lower-cost ingredients, and product mislabelling [2]. Consequently, new methods are required for authenticity assessment of honey as alternatives to more traditional ones, such as melissopalynological analysis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to develop an HPTLC fingerprinting method for the rapid determination of the botanical origin of honey. As a simple, easily handled, and cost-effective technique compared to other analytical platforms, e.g. HPLC-DAD, LC-MS or NMR, HPTLC is suitable for the analysis of large numbers of samples. Following collection and extraction, more than 250 samples from Greece were analysed. Numerous readouts were collected by using different wavelengths and derivatisation agents for monitoring purposes. Characteristic sets of bands typical for most of the analysed samples were detected, especially after derivatisation with sulfuric acid/vanillin reagent. In conclusion, it seems that HPTLC could offer a rapid alternative to conventional techniques for honey type characterisation and detection of adulteration.

Funding H.F.R.I. “Creation of national networks in value chains of honey – “Bee roads” 2018ΣΕ01300000

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. November 2023

• References

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