title: Applicability of physico-chemical parameters of honey for identification of the botanical origin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Efforts are being made to apply physicochemical parameters analysis in the identification of varietal honeys. With many variables describing a given population, it is feasible to differentiate between basing on principal component analysis (PCA). The aim of this study was to investigate selected physicochemical quality characteristics of nectar honey, with particular emphasis paid to carbohydrate composition, and to determine its applicability in identifying the variety of floral honey.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experimental materials were samples of commercial honey available at retail in Krakow in 2005-2007 period. The following analyses were performed: water content by the refractometric method, sugars content according to Luff-Schoorl, content of sugars using HPLC, electrical conductivity, specific rotation, and acidity of honey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Application of HPLC allowed the precise qualitative identification of sugars, which was impossible to be determined by Luff-Schoorl method. The obtained results were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the obtained results and performing the statistical analysis, it was found that the relationship between specific rotation and the total acidity can be used to distinguish buckwheat honeys from other analysed varieties. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the relationship between the specific rotation and maltose content can be used to distinguish between acacia honeys vs. buckwheat and lime honeys.
authors.affiliation: Carbohydrate Technology Department, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Carbohydrate Technology Department, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lukasiewicz
authors.affiliation: Carbohydrate Technology Department, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Wiktor
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Berski
mesh_terms: D000045:Acacia / Q000737:chemistry; D000143:Acids / Q000032:analysis; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D019612:Fagopyrum / Q000737:chemistry; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011044:Poland; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D032384:Tilia / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates; D014867:Water