Geographical and Botanical Origin Discrimination of Romanian Honey Using Complex Stable Isotope Data and Chemometrics

Abstract

Our research is of particular interest in the geographical discrimination of honey from different floral sources and different regions of Romania as support for quality assessment and classification activities, to establish potential origin markers. In this study, stable isotopes selected as representative discrimination parameters of different botanical or geographical origin were determined in 40 honey samples using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and site-specific natural isotopic fractionation measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (SNIF-NMR) methods. Data on δ13C, δ18O, and δ2H of honey measured by IRMS together with the stable isotopes (δ13C and D/H) in ethanol from fermented honeys were reported, and it was demonstrated that the use of δ13C value as single parameter in distinguishing honey floral variety is not practicable. Therefore, a particular emphasis was put on the (D/H)I from ethanol which is specific to a given botanical origin of honey, and its potential in characterizing the substances was highlighted both for assignment of origin and combat of adulteration.