Analysis of δ13C and δ15N values in Croatian honey by EA-IRMS and possibility of their application in botanical origin verification

The aim of this work was to give characteristic stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio (delta C-13(honey), delta C-13(protein) and delta N-15) ranges and examine their relation with botanical origin of honey. Despite that delta C-13 parameter has primary purpose to detect honey adulteration, stable isotopes generally have become important parameter for detection its botanical and geographical origin. The data about stable isotopes are scarce in comparison to other well-known parameters in honey, and in Croatia there is no data about stable isotopes in unifloral honey. This research includes six characteristic honey types (black locust, chestnut, lime, rape, winter savory, and sage honey) from Croatia. Large number of differences between honey types were found in the analyzed IRMS parameters. PCA analysis has successfully separated winter savory from all other honey types, except sage honey, whose samples differed from black locust samples.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between stable isotope ratios and the botanical origin of honey. The research found significant differences among various honey types in Croatia, and the PCA analysis successfully distinguished different types of honey.