Determination of Sucrose Additives and Geographical Origin Markers in Honey Using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry and Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography – Evoparative Light Scattering Detection

Honey can easily be adulterated with various cheaper sweeteners for higher commercial profits. Commonly used adulterants include high fructose maize syrup and refined cane sugar, which origin is C₄ plants. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) can be used to determine the adulteration of honey with C₄ plants. A significant δ¹³C value difference between honey and its protein provide valuable information of honey authenticity. The IRMS analysis of honey and its proteins and ultra high performance liquid chromatography – evoparative light scattering detection analysis for adulterated honey were performed to assess honey authenticity and origin. Principal component analysis of the obtained IRMS data was performed in order to determine discrimination between groups and for visualisation of observations. The results showed that isotope ratio values in combination with principal component analysis could be useful for determination of adulterant and discrimination of honey of different geographical origins. The chromatography results show ascending increase of the deliberately added sucrose, but do not fully recover the expected value.