Nuclear Magnetic Resonance as a Method to Predict the Geographical and Entomological Origin of Pot-Honey

Abstract

H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to analyze pot honey samples of different geographical and entomological origin. An NMR-based metabolomic approach, applied to 67 samples, tested and confirmed the validity of the multivariate statistical analysis in the discrimination. We developed an efficient tool to differentiate the honeys by their geographical origin; additionally, we showed that within limited geographical areas it is possible to distinguish honey samples in terms of the bee species that produced it. Furthermore, the structural identification of a geographical marker compound (in the Brazilian honeys) was achieved, and a specific region in the NMR spectrum was found to be responsible for the entomological separation.