The Effect of Sugar Beefeeding on the Concentrations of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Syrian Honey

Abstract

Samples of Syrian honey were collected directly from beekeepers from across the country. A total of sixteen samples were collected as follows: eight samples of natural nectar honey and eight samples of adulterated honey produced through sugar beefeeding for four months. The study is based on the measurement of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) concentrations in newly collected samples and after one year of storing in room temperature using a methodology based on HPLC with UV detector according to the European Honey Commission. The study showed that HMF concentrations were significantly higher in the adulterated honey samples produced through sugar beefeeding compared with pure honey samples, and after one year of storing in room temperature the concentrations of HMF increased dramatically in all samples and the increase in adulterated samples was significantly higher than that of pure samples. The concentration of newly collected pure samples ranged between (1.3-4.8) mg /kg and those of adulterated samples ranged between (6.6-20.2) mg /kg and after one year of storing the concentration of HMF of pure samples ranged between (7.7-20.3) mg /kg and those of adulterated samples ranged between (40.6-85.2)mg/kg and exceeded the international standards which allow an optimal specification of 40 mg per kg.