Investigating the impact of botanical origin and harvesting period on carbon stable isotope ratio values (13C/12C) and different parameter analysis of Greek unifloral honeys: A chemometric approach for correct botanical discrimination

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of botanical origin and harvesting period on carbon stable isotope ratio (C-13/C-12), colour intensity (CI), radical scavenging activity (%RSA), P and Sn content of Greek unifloral honeys. Thus, twenty-four honey samples were collected during harvesting periods 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, from four different regions in Greece. C-13/C-12 ratios and minerals were determined using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and inductively coupled plasma optical-emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), respectively. CI and %RSA were measured using spectrophotometric assays. Results showed that only C-13/C-12 values and %RSA were affected by both botanical origin and harvesting period (P<0.05). Applying then chemometric analyses to the collected data set, honeys were correctly classified according to honey type (correct classification rate 87.5% and 79.2% using the original and cross-validation method, respectively). The use of different origin parameters has the potential to aid in honey authentication.