Investigation of Volatile Compounds in Combination with Multivariate Analysis for the Characterization of Monofloral Honeys

Abstract

Lately there has been a growing demand for monofloral honeys with distinctive properties. Considering the limitations of pollen analysis, the volatile profile of honey has been proposed as a helpful supplementary tool for the confirmation of monoflorality; however, research remains regarding the volatile markers that may characterize the monofloral honey types. Therefore, in this study, we tried to expand the research by investigating the aroma profiles of five monofloral honey types (fir, pine, erica, thyme, cotton) and discriminate them through chemometric approach. A purge and trap–gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer system was used for the extraction, separation, and identification of volatile and semi-volatile compounds. Thyme honey had the richest quantitatively aroma profile, with 97 volatile compounds, whereas fir and cotton honeys had 65 and 60 volatile compounds, respectively. From a total of 124 compounds, the 38 were detected in all the studied honey types. Thyme honey was distinguished by the presence (or percentage participation) of benzeneacetaldehyde, benzealdehyde, and benzyl nitrile; erica honey of isophorone and furfural; cotton honey of 1-butanol, 2-methyl, 1-pentanol, and 4-methyl-; and honeydew honeys of α-pinene, octane, and nonanal. The discriminant analysis confirmed that the percentage participation of volatile compounds may lead to the discrimination of the studied monofloral honey types.