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Macro-element ratios provide improved identification of the botanical origin of mono-floral honeys

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Abstract

Major macronutrient concentrations (K, Ca, Mg, Na, P, and S) and element ratios were determined in 140 Hungarian mono-floral honey samples (acacia, linden, sunflower, rape, chestnut, forest, silk grass, and facelia) by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). One-way ANOVA (LSD and Dunnett T3 test) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used to determine the botanical origin based on the element content and element ratio of different honey types. Analysing six element concentrations in the honeys of different botanical origin with LDA allowed the botanical origin of 96% of honeys to be predicted. Reducing the examined elements to K, Mg, and Na increased the accuracy of predictions, but it was still not possible to distinguish acacia and facelia honeys. However, examination of element ratios showed that K/Na and K/Mg ratios were able to separate every honey type from each other with 100% cross-validation. It is concluded that using macro-element ratios rather than macro-element concentrations, it is possible to precisely discriminate the floral origin of honey samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, Institute of Food Science, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary

    Nikolett Czipa, Loránd Alexa & Béla Kovács

  2. School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, 4343, Australia

    Clive J. C. Phillips

Authors
  1. Nikolett Czipa
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  2. Loránd Alexa
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  3. Clive J. C. Phillips
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  4. Béla Kovács
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Correspondence to Nikolett Czipa.

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Czipa, N., Alexa, L., Phillips, C.J.C. et al. Macro-element ratios provide improved identification of the botanical origin of mono-floral honeys. Eur Food Res Technol 244, 1439–1445 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-018-3057-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-018-3057-9

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