ANALYSIS AND CHEMICAL PROFILING OF HONEY USING 1H-NMR SPECTROSCOPY, FTIR SPECTROSCOPY AND TLC USING VARIOUS CHROMOGENIC REAGENTS FOR DERIVATIZATION

Abstract

Objective: Honey is a natural sweet substance known for various health benefits and is used in many traditional medicines and dietary supplements. It contains various bioactive constituents like sugars, amino acids, polyphenols, flavonoids and various minerals. Quality control of honey is an essential part for ensuring its health benefits and therapeutic usage. In the present study, honey was analyzed by using various spectroscopic approaches and physicochemical methods. Methods: The samples of honey were analyzed by Thin-layer Chromatography (TLC) derivatization, ATR-FTIR, and 1H-NMR fingerprint and the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) were measured by Uv-Vis spectrophotometry and analysis were carried out for various physicochemical parameters of honey. Results: All the physicochemical parameters of the honey were as per the desired quality. The UV-Vis analysis was successfully used in the determination of total phenolics and flavonoid contents in the samples of honey. TLC analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, phytosterols, phenolics, sugars and carbohydrates in honey. The Thin-Layer chromatography analysis showed good resolution for various components of honey on the TLC plates. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of various functional groups characteristic of amino acids, carbohydrates and sugars, which was further supported by 1H NMR chemical profiling. Conclusion: In the present work, the application of various spectroscopic techniques and physicochemical tests were found to be useful in analysis of honey.