Determination of the physicochemical properties and 13C/12C isotope ratios of some honeys from the northeast Anatolia region of Turkey

Abstract

In the study, the honey was subjected to analyses after being taken from different producers immediately after the end of the production season. 13C/12C analysis was performed on the samples using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-IRMS) combined with an elemental analyzer. In all of the honey samples, the δ13C value was found to be more negative than −23.5‰ and even the C4 sugar ratio was found to be lower than 7%. The results from the physicochemical analysis of the samples were determined to be 15.9 ± 1.6% for the moisture content, 82.8 ± 1.1 for brix, 0.183 ± 0.02 mS/cm for conductivity, 24.4 ± 4.0 meq/kg for total acidity, 546 ± 80 mg/kg for proline, and 14.5 ± 3.5 for diastase activity. In addition, the sugar content was determined to be 38.8 ± 1.8% for fructose, 30.2 ± 1.7% for glucose, 69.1 ± 3.3% for fructose + glucose, and 1.29 ± 0.5 for fructose/glucose. When the analysis results were evaluated according to the relevant standards and codex, it was evident that the honey samples produced within the region are of very good quality.