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Neutron activation analysis and ICP-MS for provenance of honey collected from American Midwest region

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Abstract

The elemental analysis of honey is a useful tool for regional and botanical authentication of honey, particularly when combined with palynology and carbohydrate analysis. A comprehensive database that includes trace element levels in honey with known regional and botanical sources is needed to evaluate its usefulness for honey source provenance. In this study, honey samples collected from discrete sources in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota were analyzed by ICP-MS and INAA. Sucrose was measured by NMR to confirm that samples were not adulterated with sugar. Palynology was used to assess the pollen source. The elements B, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Co, Mo, Cs, Ba, and Ce, among others, were measured by ICP-MS, and the elements Na, Cl, Sc, Cr, Fe, Zn, Se, Br, and Hg were measured by INAA. The duplicate elements from the two methods were compared. A cluster analysis and a principal component analysis were conducted to determine if the regional or botanical sources could be distinguished by their trace element content. The results have demonstrated that elemental analysis may be useful in discriminating honey sourced from Montana against honey sourced from North and South Dakota.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their sincere thanks to Jim Guthrie, Ruth Ann Ngwenyama, Stacy Crane, and Mike Glascock for their assistance in performing this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, 125 Chemistry Building, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Taylor M. Weilert, Colleen L. Ray, James A. Gawenis & John D. Brockman

  2. Sweetwater Science Labs, 906 Saline St., Glasgow, MO, 65254, USA

    James A. Gawenis

  3. University of Missouri Research Reactor Center, University of Missouri, 1513 Research Park Dr, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    John D. Brockman

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  1. Taylor M. Weilert
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Correspondence to John D. Brockman.

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Weilert, T.M., Ray, C.L., Gawenis, J.A. et al. Neutron activation analysis and ICP-MS for provenance of honey collected from American Midwest region. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 4971–4981 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08532-6

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