A variety of established food-analytical methods exist for investigating the authenticity of honey. Despite extensive testing mechanisms, counterfeiters are increasingly able to circumvent these procedures. They have developed strategies to specifically manipulate honey with respect to testing parameters, for example, by removing or adding pollen or certain chemical compounds.
Food-analytical methods and test parameters for examining the authenticity of honey may include, for example:
- Pollen analysis (botanical and geographical origin of the honey)
- Sensory evaluation (product quality)
- Physicochemical analyses (water content, pH value, electrical conductivity, enzymatic and chemical parameters)
- Chromatographic methods (sugar profiles, aromatic compounds)
- Isotopic analysis (added sugar)
Comparing the chemical profile of honey with reference data can help detect adulterated honey even when testing parameters have been manipulated. Using NMR spectroscopy (NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance), a comprehensive chemical profile of an unknown honey sample is created and its authenticity is evaluated by comparison with reference data from additional honey samples. NRZ-Authent provides official food control laboratories in Germany with a database of NMR spectra from authentic honeys. The goal is to better assess honey samples using these reference data and to detect inconsistencies. This can serve as a starting point for further investigations.
Data structure and quality assurance
Together with experts from German official food control laboratories, a web-based database application was developed that contains NMR spectra of honey samples along with extensive accompanying information (metadata). The metadata include honey type and/or honey composition (nectar, pollen, honey dew), geographical origin (continent, country, EU/non-EU), labelling (organic or conventional), NMR method used and analysing institution. Standardised procedures for sample preparation and analysis ensure the comparability of the measurement data. Upon uploading to the database, data quality is automatically checked against defined validation parameters. Measurement results are stored as structured datasets and can be analysed using standard NMR software. Each sample is uniquely identifiable and linked to its measurement data as well as the physical sample.
Web-based application
The application uses the MRI IT infrastructure and is accessible via a user-friendly web interface. Currently, cooperative partners have exclusive access. Through the web interface, samples can be specifically searched for using metadata, and associated datasets can be downloaded for independent analyses. Cooperative partners can also independently add new datasets to the database. The database provides a transparent and traceable reference of NMR spectra of authentic honeys, strengthening the official food control in this area.