Correlation Study of Honey Regarding their Physicochemical Properties and Sugars and Cyclitols Content

Honey production in the south by the Legal Amazon: a study on the potential contamination of mercury in apiaries

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (MAPEOs) are considered to be one of the main sources of mercury release into the environment. Considering the gold mining activities, this study evaluated the Hg concentration in 27 apiaries (Apis spp.) in the South of the Legal Amazon, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. A total of 243 samples distributed in 81 samples of bees, 81 beeswax, and 81 of honeys, collected between the months of July and November 2022, were analyzed. One bee sample showed Hg concentration above the limit of quantification (68.8 ng g-1), 27 samples were between the limit of detection and limit of quantification (15 samples of bees, 8 of wax and 4 of honey). In all study areas, trace levels of Hg concentration were detected, 12 near MAPEOs areas and 16 near crop areas. It recorded that the honeys analyzed in this study in Mato Grosso are not contaminated by Hg, not offering any risk to consumers of the product. It is noteworthy that the use of bioindicator tools such as bees, beeswax, and honey is effective in relation to Hg monitoring in apiaries. It can also infer that the implementation of beekeeping in areas that will go through experience the process of environmental recovery, after the mining exploitation, is feasible, in line with permanent biomonitoring of the region.

Physicochemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities of Coffea Robusta Monofloral Honey from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam

Robusta coffee blossom honey stands as a key regional product in Dak Lak province, Vietnam. Despite its significance, there exists a dearth of scientific data for assessing its quality. This study aims to fill this gap by characterizing the physicochemical properties and biological activities of coffee blossom honeys from three distinct sub-regions within Dak Lak province, Vietnam. These activities include ferric reducing power (FRP), DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, as well as tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Moreover, the study compares these honey samples with other popular varieties in Vietnam, such as Lychee and Longan honeys. The physicochemical parameters of the honey samples meet the standards set by Codex Alimentarius 2001. Through UPLC analysis, eleven compounds were identified, with caffeine serving as a marker for coffee honey. Furthermore, by employing multiple factor analysis (MFA), it was observed that certain physicochemical properties correlate positively with tyrosinase inhibitory, DPPH, ABTS free radicals scavenging activities, and FRP. Notably, tyrosinase inhibitory activity exhibited a positive correlation with antioxidant activity. These findings underscore the high quality of Coffea robusta honey, showcasing its potent antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities.

Assessing the Impact of Botanical Origins, Harvest Years, and Geographical Variability on the Physicochemical Quality of Serbian Honey

This study summarized the physicochemical analysis of 609 honey samples originating from the Republic of Serbia. Variations among honey samples from different botanical origins, regions of collections, and harvest years were exposed to descriptive statistics and correlation analysis that differentiated honey samples. Furthermore, most of the observed physicochemical parameters (glucose, fructose, sucrose content, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) levels, acidity, and electrical conductivity) varied significantly among different types of honey, years, and regions. At the same time, no noticeable difference was found in diastase activity, moisture content, and insoluble matter. Based on the obtained results, 22 honey samples could be considered adulterated, due to the irregular content of sucrose, 5-HMF, acidity, and diastase activity. In addition, 64 honey samples were suspected to be adulterated. Adulterated and non-compliant samples present a relatively low percentage (14.1%) of the total number of investigated samples. Consequently, a considerable number of honey samples met the required standards for honey quality. Overall, these findings provide insights into compositional and quality differences among various types of honey, aiding in understanding their characteristics and potential applications.

Effect of ultrasound technique to improve quality of Iranian industrial honey by controlling crystallization process

This experiment aimed to assess the effects of ultrasound techniques on the quality of Iranian industrial honey. Honey samples were subjected to ultrasound waves at different frequencies and various parameters. The results showed that both ultrasound treatments (30 or 42 kHz) changed the physical, biochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial characteristics of honey. Ultrasound treatments at 20 or 45°C for 1, 5, or 10 min reduced moisture, acidity, sugars, ABTS levels, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural content, clostridium, aerobic mesophilic bacteria count, and osmophile count while increasing diastase, phenol, and proline levels. Ultrasound treatment of honey samples at 30 and 42 kHz and different temperatures for varying durations led to a decrease in acidity after 90 and 180 days. Treating honey samples with 42 kHz ultrasound at 45°C for 10 min led to a significant reduction in the amount of reducing sugar. Ultrasonication at different frequencies and temperatures led to higher levels of phenol, ABTS, and proline production, along with a considerable decrease in the total count of aerobic mesophilic bacteria. Our study unveils the potential of ultrasonication to enhance honey quality through multifaceted improvements. Treatment significantly augmented phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, opening avenues for novel honey preservation and quality enhancement strategies. Additionally, ultrasonication effectively controlled honey crystallization while simultaneously improving biochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. This demonstrates its potential as a comprehensive strategy for honey quality improvement.

Assessment of the Quality, Chemometric and Pollen Diversity of Apis mellifera Honey from Different Seasonal Harvests

The parameters for assessing the quality of honey produced by Apis mellifera are standardized worldwide. The physicochemical properties of honey might vary extensively due to factors such as the geographical area where it was produced and the season in which it was harvested. Little information is available on variations in honey quality among different harvest periods in tropical areas, and particularly in neotropical dry forests. This study describes variations in seventeen physicochemical parameters and the pollen diversity of honey harvested from beehives during the dry season in February, March, and April 2021, in the dry arc of Panama. Potassium is the most abundant mineral in honey samples, and its concentration increases during the harvest period from February to April. A PCA analysis showed significant differences among the samples collected during different harvest periods. The pollen diversity also differs among honey samples from February compared with March and April. The results indicate that climatic conditions may play an important role in the quality of honey produced in the dry arc of Panama. Furthermore, these results might be useful for establishing quality-control parameters of bee honey produced in Panama in support of beekeeping activities in seasonal wet-dry areas of the tropics.

Antibacterial and wound-healing action of Ulmo honey (Eucryphia cordifolia) of differing degrees of purity

Introduction

Antibacterial properties of honey vary according to its floral origin; few studies report the percentage of pollen types in honey, making it difficult to reproduce and compare the results. This study compares the antibacterial and wound-healing properties of three kinds of monofloral Ulmo honey with different percentages of pollen from Eucryphia cordifolia.

Methods

The pollen percentage of the honey was determined by melissopalynological analysis, and they were classified into three groups: M1 (52.77% of pollen from Eucryphia cordifolia), M2 (68.41%), and M3 (82.80%). They were subjected to chemical analysis and agar diffusion test against Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 20 healthy adult guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) of both sexes were randomly assigned to four groups for experimental burn skin wound (uninfected) production and treatment with Ulmo honey. On day 10 post-injury, biopsies were obtained, and histological analysis was performed to assess wound-healing capacity following the treatment with honey.

Results

The chemical analysis showed that M3 differed significantly from M1 in terms of pH (P = 0.020), moisture (P = 0.020), total sugars (P = 0.034), and total solids (P = 0.020). Both strains of Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to M1 and M2 at 40% w/v but were resistant to M3 at all concentrations. All groups (I-IV) were in the initial proliferative phase, with complete or partial re-epithelialization of the epidermis.

Discussion

The antibacterial activity showed a wide range of variation in the different types of honey studied, with no significant differences between wound healing and pollen percentage in the groups studied. Higher pH and the absence of Tineo in M3 conferred a lower antibacterial capacity but not a lower wound healing capacity. Despite its variability in the percentage of Eucryphia cordifolia like primary pollen in Ulmo's monofloral honey, this has the same properties in relation to wound healing.

Physicochemical quality indicators of honey: An evaluation in a Ukrainian socioecological gradient

Physical and chemical quality indicators of 65 polyfloral honey samples from three administrative districts of Chernivtsi region in South Western Ukraine were studied. The chosen administrative districts were Putyla (representing the ‘Traditional villages’ stratum), Storozhynets (the ‘Intermediate’ stratum) and Khotyn (the ‘Intensive agriculture’ stratum), which reflect a steep gradient of social and ecological conditions such as land cover and land use, level of economic development, culture and demography. The quality of honey was determined in accordance with the requirements of the Ukrainian national standard and the EU Directive relating to honey (or Codex Alimentarius Honey Standard) by using the following indicators: reducing sugars and moisture content, diastase activity, free acidity, pH, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and proline content. The profile of carbohydrates was analyzed, in particular glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, trehalose, melezitose, raffinose. The ratio of fructose to glucose (F/G) was determined. All tested samples complied with the international standards for the mass fraction of reducing sugars, diastase activity and hydroxymethylfurfural content. For physical and chemical parameters, the studied honey samples were of high quality. The content of the reducing sugars in the honey samples varied within the range of 66.0–97.6%. The fructose content ranged from 342 to 549 mg/g, and the glucose content variation ranged within 283–517 mg/g. The average fructose/glucose ratio was 1.2 for honey samples from the three studied districts. Besides fructose and glucose, some oligosaccharides, such as maltose, trehalose and melezitose, were found in the examined honey. Melezitose was detected in the honey samples from ‘Traditional village’ (21 samples) and ‘Intermediate’ (5 samples) districts. The total variability of HMF content in the studied 65 honey samples from apiaries in the three districts of Chernivtsi region ranged from 0.19 to 30.8 mg/kg. The minimum moisture content was found to be 16.2% (in the ‘Traditional village’ and ‘Intermediate’ strata), and 22.2% was the maximum (in the ‘Intermediate’ stratum). Our studies have shown that free acidity of the samples varied within the range 13.5 to 58.0 meq/kg. Proline content variability for the three studied geographical areas ranged from 82.3 to 1201.2 mg/kg. The studied samples of honey had a low pH level (~ 3.7), high content of proline (~ 513 mg/kg) and reducing sugars (~ 80%), which indicates its nutritional value and naturalness. Deviations from the honey standards in moisture content, acidity and electrical conductivity was revealed in 8% to 10% of all samples.

Potential of Natural Honey in Controlling Obesity and its Related Complications

Honey has a long history of therapeutic properties for multiple diseases, including inflammation and oxidative stress. This review aimed to provide a better understanding and renewed interest in the potential role of honey in obesity control, obesity-related diseases treatment and weight management, with specific reference to its components and the effect of honey overall. There is compelling evidence that honey possesses the desired properties for this purpose, as seen in the in vitro, in silico, in vivo and clinical analyses discussed in this review. This review also highlights the components potentially responsible for the health benefits of honey. Honey and its components reduce blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism by reducing triglycerides, and reduce total cholesterol and LDL levels while increasing HDL levels that prevent excessive weight gain and reduce the risk of obesity and its complications. Further controlled studies are necessary to validate the role of honey in the management of obesity, both as a preventive and as a therapeutic agent.

SDS-PAGE Protein and HPTLC Polyphenols Profiling as a Promising Tool for Authentication of Goldenrod Honey

The aim of the study was to use protein and polyphenolic profiles as fingerprints of goldenrod honey and to apply them for verification of the labeled variety. The markers for 10 honey samples were correlated with the standard physicochemical parameters and biological activity measured in vitro as antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial activities. Honey proteins were examined regarding soluble protein, diastase and SDS-PAGE protein profile. The polyphenolic profile was obtained with the use of the HPTLC and the antioxidant activity was detected with standard colorimetric methods. The antimicrobial effect of representative honey samples of different chemical profiles was verified against E. coli and budding yeast. It was found that the SDS-PAGE technique allows for creating the protein fingerprint of the goldenrod honey variety which was consistent for 70% of tested samples. At the same time, the similarity of their polyphenolic profile was observed. Moreover, specific chemical composition resulted in higher bioactivity of honey against tested bacteria and yeast. The study confirmed the usefulness of both SDS-PAGE and HPTLC techniques in honey authentication, as an initial step for selection of samples which required pollen analysis.

Analysis of Mercury Concentration in Honey from the Point of View of Human Body Exposure

Honey is a highly valued product due to its nutritional value, pro-health and healing properties. Pollutants from the environment penetrate into nectar, honeydew, pollen and next into bee products and can cause human exposure after ingestion. Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal to living organisms. This is why it was important to determine the level of Hg in consumed honey.The aim of this manuscript is to analyse mercury concentration in honeys collected on the territory of Poland. A total of 108 samples of honey purchased in regional apiaries and hypermarkets were tested. The concentration of Hg was analysed in various types of honey (multifloral, honeydew, linden, goldenrod, acacia, buckwheat, rapeseed, sunflower, heather, dandelion, phacelia). The values of the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI) and % Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (% PTWI) were calculated. This allowed estimating the amount of Hg taken during consumption of the tested honeys.The concentration of Hg ranged from 0.01 to 1.71 µg/kg and was 0.43 µg/kg on average. A higher concentration of Hg, which was statistically significant, was recorded in honeydew honey, then in compound honeys. Honeys produced from one raw material had the lowest concentration of Hg. There were no significant differences in the concentration of Hg depending on the origin of honey. The calculations have shown that consumption of a portion (19 g) of the tested honey per week is safe for both adults and children according to the applicable standards.

Novel Chemical and Biological Insights of Inositol Derivatives in Mediterranean Plants

Inositols (Ins) are natural compounds largely widespread in plants and animals. Bio-sinthetically they derive from sugars, possessing a molecular structure very similar to the simple sugars, and this aspect concurs to define them as primary metabolites, even though it is much more correct to place them at the boundary between primary and secondary metabolites. This dichotomy is well represented by the fact that as primary metabolites they are essential cellular components in the form of phospholipid derivatives, while as secondary metabolites they are involved in a plethora of signaling pathways playing an important role in the surviving of living organisms. myo-Inositol is the most important and widespread compound of this family, it derives directly from d-glucose, and all known inositols, including stereoisomers and derivatives, are the results of metabolic processes on this unique molecule. In this review, we report the new insights of these compounds and their derivatives concerning their occurrence in Nature with a particular emphasis on the plant of the Mediterranean area, as well as the new developments about their biological effectiveness.

Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE) as a new sampling system for VOCs emitted by feces

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are increasingly wished to be used in diagnosis of diseases. They present strategic advantages, when compared to classical methods used, such as simplicity and current availability of performant non-invasive sample collection methods/systems. However, standardized sampling methods are required in order to achieve reproducible results. In the current study we developed a method to be used for feces sampling using a Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE). Design Expert software (with Box-Behnken design) was used to predict the solutions. Therefore, by using the simulation experimental plan that was further experimentally verified, extraction time of 19.6 min, at extraction temperature of 30.6 °C by using a flow rate of 48.7 mL/min provided the higher response. The developed method was validated by using correlation tests and Network analysis, which both proved the validity of the developed model.

Pharmaceutical Prospects of Bee Products: Special Focus on Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antiparasitic Properties

Bee products have long been used in traditional healing practices to treat many types of disorders, including cancer and microbial-related diseases. Indeed, several chemical compounds found in bee products have been demonstrated to display anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties. With the improvement of research tools and in view of recent advances related to bee products, this review aims to provide broad yet detailed insight into the pharmaceutical prospects of bee products such as honey, propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee bread, beeswax, and bee venom, in the domain of cancer and infectious disease management. Available literature confirms the efficacy of these bee products in the alleviation of cancer progression, inhibition of bacterial and viral proliferation, and mitigation of parasitic-related symptoms. With such potentials, bioactive components isolated from the bee products can be used as an alternative approach in the long-run effort to improve humans’ health at a personal and community level.

Beehive Products as Antibacterial Agents: A Review

Honeybees are one of the most marvelous and economically beneficial insects. As pollinators, they play a vital role in every aspect of the ecosystem. Beehive products have been used for thousands of years in many cultures for the treatment of various diseases. Their healing properties have been documented in many religious texts like the Noble Quran and the Holy Bible. Honey, bee venom, propolis, pollen and royal jelly all demonstrated a richness in their bioactive compounds which make them effective against a variety of bacterial strains. Furthermore, many studies showed that honey and bee venom work as powerful antibacterial agents against a wide range of bacteria including life-threatening bacteria. Several reports documented the biological activities of honeybee products but none of them emphasized on the antibacterial activity of all beehive products. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the antibacterial activity of honey, bee venom, propolis, pollen and royal jelly, that are produced by honeybees.

Review on Bee Products as Potential Protective and Therapeutic Agents in Male Reproductive Impairment

Bee products are sources of functional food that have been used in complementary medicine to treat a variety of acute and chronic illnesses in many parts of the world. The products vary from location to location as well as country to country. Therefore, the aim of this review was to identify various bee products with potential preventive and therapeutic values used in the treatment of male reproductive impairment. We undertook a vigorous search for bee products with preventive and therapeutic values for the male reproductive system. These products included honey, royal jelly, bee pollen, bee brood, apilarnil, bee bread, bee wax, and bee venom. We also explained the mechanisms involved in testicular steroidogenesis, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, which may cumulatively lead to male reproductive impairment. The effects of bee pollen, bee venom, honey, propolis, royal jelly, and bee bread on male reproductive parameters were examined. Conclusively, these bee products showed positive effects on the steroidogenic, spermatogenic, oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptotic parameters, thereby making them a promising possible preventive and therapeutic treatment of male sub/infertility.

The Rediscovery of Honey for Skin Repair: Recent Advances in Mechanisms for Honey-Mediated Wound Healing and Scaffolded Application Techniques

Honey is a honey-bee product obtained mainly by the enzymatic processing of nectar from a variety of plants, which leads to the wide range of colours and flavours available on the market. These organoleptic and nutritional features are influenced by the chemical composition, which in turn depends on the botanical origin. Bioactive compounds account for honey beneficial activity in medical applications, which explains the extensive use of honey in ethno-pharmacology since antiquity, from cough remedies to dermatological treatments. Wound healing is one of the main therapeutic uses of honey, and various design options in pharmaceutical technology such as smart delivery systems and advanced dressings are currently being developed to potentiate honey’s valuable properties for better performance and improved final outcome. In this review, we will focus on the latest research that discloses crucial factors in determining what properties are most beneficial when considering honey as a medicinal product. We will present the most recent updates on the possible mechanisms responsible for the exceptional effects of this ageless therapeutical remedy on skin repair. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art in application techniques (incorporation into scaffolds as an alternative to direct administration) used to enhance honey-mediated wound-healing properties are explored.

Cluster Analysis Classification of Honey from Two Different Climatic Zones Based on Selected Physicochemical and of Microbiological Parameters

The geographical origin of honey affects its composition, which is of key importance for the health-promoting properties and safety of the product. European regulations clearly define the physicochemical requirements for honey that determine the microbiological quality. On the other hand, legislation abolishes microbiological criteria. In the study 40 honey samples originating from two different climatic zones were analyzed. The water content, pH, water activity analysis and the microbiological quality of honey samples have been tested using the reference plate method (total viable count, yeast and molds, lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus spp.). The cluster classification showed that total viable count of bacteria could be used as a measure alternative to the count of Bacillus spp. and 70% of honeys from the tropical climate zone had different microbiological quality than honeys from the temperate climate zone but still under the level 3.0 log cfu/g. The study has revealed that geographical origin of honey may significantly affect the quality and safety of honey. It was considered that water content can be the most informative and handy marker of the microbiological quality of honeys. Analysis of lactic acid bacteria showed temperate climate zone honeys as a source of beneficial bacteria in the diet.

The Use of Ultrasound for Preventing Honey Crystallization

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound treatment for preventing honey crystallization on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of unifloral honey and polyfloral honey. Honey samples without any treatment were used as a control group for comparison. The effect of applying ultrasound treatment was evaluated by studying over time the tendency of crystallization, the rheological properties of honey and chemical and microbiological properties. The parameters analyzed for the two groups of samples (treated and untreated with ultrasound), which did not vary or had small variations during the research were water content, acidity, water activity, glucose, fructose, sucrose, glucose/water ratio, glucose/fructose ratio. The crystallization process was installed in the control samples from the first month of the study, and much later in the treated samples. The color of the untreated samples varied considerably, and the color of the treated ones remained stable or slightly varied. For the control samples, the smallest variation in hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) concentration was in raspberry honey (5%), and the most significant variation was in honeydew honey (30%). For the treated samples, the largest variation of this parameter was found in tillia honey (127%), and the smallest variation was in rapeseed honey (26%). The microbiological quality was higher for the treated samples. In the ultrasound-treated samples of acacia honey, honeydew honey and grassland honey, yeasts, molds or standard plate counts (SPCs) were undetectable. For control samples, SPC values were <10-50 cfu/g. Ultrasound-treated samples maintained their SPC parameter levels or were thus reduced (<10-20 cfu/g). Yeasts and molds were undetectable or had value between <10 and 10 cfu/g. The yeasts and the molds ranged in the control samples between <10 and 40 cfu/g.

Determination of Neonicotinoids in Honey Samples Originated from Poland and Other World Countries

A method development for determination of neonicotinoid residues in honey samples was developed. The proposed methodology consisted in QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe). That was used for sample preparation and UHPLC/UV (ultra-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection) utilized for chromatographic analysis. The developed method proved to be sensitive, with LOD (Limit of detection) value in the range of 60.80 to 80.98 ng/g hence LOQ (Limit of quantification) value was in the range of 184.26 to 245.40 ng/g. The method has tested on Polish honey and applied to honey from various countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Australia, Brazil, Cameroon, Russia, USA and Turkey). Several honey types were tested, while physicochemical properties of all honeys and were investigated. The methodology for general characterization of pollen grains originated from selected plants, to confirm the type of honey was also presented. There was a total lack of the mentioned neonicotinoids in sunflower honey. Except of this, only two samples of rapeseed and two samples of acacia honey (from Poland and Romania) were neonicotinoids free. In 19 samples the targeted pesticides were detected above LOQ. In all other investigated samples, the neonicotinoids were found at least at the LOD or LOQ level.

The Toxic Impact of Honey Adulteration: A Review

Honey is characterized as a natural and raw foodstuff that can be consumed not only as a sweetener but also as medicine due to its therapeutic impact on human health. It is prone to adulterants caused by humans that manipulate the quality of honey. Although honey consumption has remarkably increased in the last few years all around the world, the safety of honey is not assessed and monitored regularly. Since the number of consumers of honey adulteration have increased in recent years, their trust and interest in this valuable product has decreased. Honey adulterants are any substances that are added to the pure honey. In this regard, this paper provides a comprehensive and critical review of the different types of adulteration, common sugar adulterants and detection methods, and draws a clear perspective toward the impact of honey adulteration on human health. Adulteration increases the consumer's blood sugar, which can cause diabetes, abdominal weight gain, and obesity, raise the level of blood lipids and can cause high blood pressure. The most common organ affected by honey adulterants is the liver followed by the kidney, heart, and brain, as shown in several in vivo research designs.

Modern Methods for Assessing the Quality of Bee Honey and Botanical Origin Identification

This paper is a summary of the latest literature on methods for assessing quality of natural bee honey. The publication briefly characterizes methods recommended by the International Honey Commission, published in 2009, as well as newer methods published in the last 10 years. Modern methods of assessing honey quality focus mainly on analyzing markers of individual varieties and classifying them into varieties, using, among others, near infrared spectroscopy techniques (NIR), potentiometric tongue, electronic nose, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), zymography, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA metabarcoding, and chemometric techniques including partial least squares (PLS), principal component analysis (PCA) and artificial neural networks (ANN). At the same time, effective techniques for analyzing adulteration, sugar, and water content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), polyphenol content, and diastase activity are being sought. Modern techniques enable the results of honey quality testing to be obtained in a shorter time, using the principles of green chemistry, allowing, at the same time, for high precision and accuracy of determinations. These methods are constantly modified, so that the honey that is on sale is a product of high quality. Prospects for devising methods of honey quality assessment include the development of a fast and accurate alternative to the melissopalynological method as well as quick tests to detect adulteration.

New Methodology for the Identification of Metabolites of Saccharides and Cyclitols by Off-Line EC-MALDI-TOF-MS

A combination of electrochemistry (EC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (off-line EC-MALDI-TOF-MS) was applied for determination of the studied biologically active compounds (D-glucose, D-fructose, D-galactose, D-pinitol, L-chiro-inositol, and myo-inositol) and their possible electrochemical metabolites. In this work, boron-doped diamond electrode (BDD) was used as a working electrode. MALDI-TOF-MS experiments were carried out (both in positive and negative ion modes and using two matrices) to identify the structures of electrochemical products. This was one of the first applications of the EC system for the generation of electrochemical products produced from saccharides and cyclitols. Moreover, exploratory data analysis approaches (correlation networks, hierarchical cluster analysis, weighted plots) were used in order to present differences/similarities between the obtained spectra, regarding the class of analyzed compounds, ionization modes, and used matrices. This work presents the investigation and comparison of fragmentation patterns of sugars, cyclitols, and their respective products generated through the electrochemistry (EC) process.