Mineral profile as a potential parameter for verifying the authenticity of bracatinga honeydew honeys

Abstract

The increasing demand for honeydew honeys by consumers has raised concerns regarding the authenticity of this product. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a classification model (Classification and Regression Tree) to differentiate Mimosa scabrella Bentham (bracatinga) honeydew honeys from blossom honeys. The model was then used to verify the authenticity of commercial samples of honeydew honey. A total of 67 honey samples were analyzed, including 13 bracatinga honeydew honeys, 20 blossom honeys, seven commercial bracatinga honeydew honeys and 27 bracatinga honeydew honeys blended (adulterated) with blossom honey (5, 15 and 25% of blossom honey). In the classification model developed clear parameters were established that characterized each group of honey and with its application all honeydew and blossom samples were correctly classified. Only two samples of adulterated honeydew honey were misclassified. Therefore, the proposed classification model shows promising perspectives for its application, aimed at improving authenticity verification and fraud detection with regard to bracatinga honeydew honeys.