Application of selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry to the characterization of monofloral New Zealand honeys

J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Jul 11;60(27):6806-15. doi: 10.1021/jf3025002. Epub 2012 Jun 28.

Abstract

Honeys have a range of physicochemical and organoleptic properties, depending on the nectar source. Selected Ion Flow Tube-Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is an emerging technology that quantifies volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to low concentrations (usually parts-per-trillion (ppt) levels) and is here applied to monitor the aromas in the headspace of different New Zealand monofloral honeys. Honey aromas arise from VOCs in the honeys that differ according to the flower type from which they were derived. In this exploratory study, the headspaces of nine monofloral New Zealand honeys (beech honeydew, clover, kamahi, manuka, rata, rewarewa, tawari, thyme, and vipers bugloss) were analyzed using SIFT-MS without sample preparation. The purpose of the investigation was to identify the major volatiles in each of the honeys and to test the feasibility of using SIFT-MS to distinguish between New Zealand monofloral honeys. In the nine monofloral honeys sampled, a clear distinction was observed between them based on their aroma signatures.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Honey / analysis*
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • New Zealand
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Volatile Organic Compounds