doiSerbia

Quality parameters and pattern recognition methods as a tool in tracing regional origin of multifloral honey

Lazarević Kristina B. (Center for Food Analysis, Belgrade)
Trifković Jelena Đ. (Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade)
Andrić Filip Lj. (Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade)
Tešić Živoslav Lj. (Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade)
Anđelković Ivan B. (Innovation center, Faculty of Chemistry Ltd., Belgrade)
Radović Dejan I. (Faculty of Biology, Belgrade)
Nedić Nebojša M. (Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade)
Milojković-Opsenica Dušanka M. (Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade)

The characterization of multifloral honey regarding the mineral composition, sugar content and basic physicochemical properties has been done. The total of 164 honey samples was collected from six regions of Serbia during 2009 harvesting season. Univariate data analysis (descriptive statistics and analysis of variance), geographic information system and pattern recognition methods (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) have been performed in order to identify geographical origin of honey. The content of Mg, K, and Cu, electrical conductivity, and optical rotation were established as useful indicators in tracing regional differences between honey samples. Samples originated from Zlatibor region were clearly distinguished from those from the rest of Serbia showing higher K and Mg content, as well as higher values of optical rotation, electrical conductivity, and free acidity. The influence of the soil composition, and climate conditions, as well as the presence of particular flora on the honey composition is stressed out. The modeling of geographic origin of honey has been attempted by the means of linear discriminant analysis.

Keywords: multifloral honey, geographical origin, pattern recognition, Geographic Information System, Serbia

Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 172017 and 451-03-2372-IP i FP7 RegPot project FCUB ERA GA No. 256716