Honey: Inorganic Composition as Possible Marker for Botanical and Geological Assignment
Paolo Inaudi, Matteo Garzino, Ornella Abollino, Mery Malandrino, Agnese Giacomino
Abstract
Honey can be classified based on its geographical or botanical origin according to Directive 2001/110/EC. Geographical origin is determined when the pollen collection occurs entirely in a specific location, allowing producers to label the honey with the name of the region. Verification typically involves melissopalynological analysis to match the pollen spectrum with regional vegetation. Botanical origin applies when honey predominantly comes from a single floral species, characterized by specific organoleptic, physico-chemical, and microscopic properties. However, defining "predominantly" and identifying distinct physico-chemical parameters remain ambiguous. This review evaluates the use of chemical analysis as a complement or alternative to melissopalynological methods for determining honey's origin. The focus is on inorganic composition, particularly metals and semimetals, as potential fingerprints to identify botanical or geographical provenance. Relevant studies were reviewed, with data reprocessed and analyzed using chemometric techniques, including Principal Component Analysis and Agglomerative Cluster Analysis. These methods reveal common traits distinguishing honeys by origin. Chemical analysis combined with chemometric processing enhances honey identification, prevents fraud, assesses environmental pollution in collection areas, and evaluates the impact of processing on the final product.