ABOUT THE SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

• Program name: Chemical analysis of honey composition and differentiation of geographical origin
• The purpose of the program: The goal is to chemically analyse honey from diverse geographic origins, exploring its distinctive traits and traceability, through chemical analysis and statistical methods. As a result, the research provides the authenticity and quality of honey products, ultimately benefiting both producers and consumers.
• Objectives:
• Gather honey samples from at least 40 diverse geographical locations, ensuring representation from each region. The acquisition of a diverse and representative honey sample set is essential for subsequent analysis.
• Conduct GC-MS to analyse the volatile compounds present in the honey samples. This task will provide quantitative data on the volatile profile (aroma profile), quantification of furanic (furfural, furfuryl acetate, 5-methylfurfural, furfuryl alcohol, and 5-HMF) compounds of honey from different geographic origins. The objective is to quantify distinct aroma compounds and assess their variations across regions.
• Utilize HPLC-MS/MS, HPLC-DAD to quantify the levels of 36 – polyphenols (7 anthocyanins, 9 flavonols, 4 flavan-3-ols, 2 dihydrochalcones, 2 flavanones and 12 phenolic acids), organic acids, and vitamins B2, B3, and C and in honey samples. The quantification of these compounds contributes to a comprehensive chemical profile of the honey.
• Employ spectrophotometric assays, including DPPH, TPC, TAC, and TFC using a spectrophotometer. assays provide insights into the antioxidant and phenolic properties of honey, linking the chemical composition to potential health benefits.
• Analyse macro and micro, and trace elements in honey by ICP-MS. This task is essential for assessing the overall discrimination and quality control of honey. An accurate quantification of mineral content in honey samples is essential.
• Develop a traceability framework to link honey samples with their respective geographic origins. Integrate analytical data and employ advanced statistical tools for the traceability process. The primary objective here is to establish a method to trace the geographic source of honey based on chemical analysis.
• Apply statistical tools to evaluate the extent to which honey samples can be geographically differentiated based on their chemical composition. This objective aims to determine the reliability and accuracy of differentiating honey origins through analytical data.

All tasks are interrelated, as the data collected from volatile profile analysis, polyphenols, organic acids, vitamins, minerals, and spectrophotometric assays contribute to the traceability and geographical differentiation objectives. The traceability framework relies on chemical markers, and statistical tools assess the success of differentiation.

The research results will be disseminated through publication in international scientific journals with high impact factors.

• The idea of the project:

Honey, a natural delicacy with immense cultural and nutritional significance, possesses a unique chemical profile influenced by its geographical source. This comprehensive research project seeks to unveil the intricate relationship between the origin of honey and its chemical composition. Our investigation encompasses an array of global regions, including Kazakhstan, Italy, China, and other potential sources, allowing for a thorough exploration of honey’s geographical diversity.

• Expected results:

The proposal aims at studying and analyzing the chemical composition of honey made from different geographical origins.

Thus, for the first time:

• the complete data for honey samples (at least 10 different samples for each geographical origin), volatile organic compounds, organic acids, minerals and vitamins will be assessed and studied;
• the chemical data will be applied to the statistical data, the geographical origins will be described.
• the authenticity and traceability of honey will be assessed and studied.

The obtained new information on the honey samples comes from different geographical locations will provide important data for further development of honey producing industry and for national and international scientists for further research implementation.

This proposal will serve as the prerequisite for the next study on establishing a scientific basis for quality control, bee health control and traceability in the honey industry. Furthermore, the findings will be broader implicated for food authenticity studies, ultimately benefiting consumers and promoting the preservation of the integrity and unique characteristics of honey from different regions.

Results of analyzing honey samples from different geographic origins can be used as a scientific basis for quality control.

The obtained data of honey samples could potentially serve as a resource to inform consumers and producers with nutritional and health benefits.

The project is interdisciplinary (food chemistry, biochemistry and statistical tools), thus the obtained results have a great potential to broaden the research field as food technology, nutritional science, agronomy and apiculture, biodiversity and ecology etc.

The applicability and potential for commercialization of the obtained results can be applied in industries related to health and wellness, agriculture, food production, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more. The findings can contribute to the development of innovative products, sustainable practices, and economic opportunities, benefiting both consumers and businesses.

The project’s results can be multiplicative, with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the initial project scope. The significance of the project on a national and international scale is evident in its potential to benefit diverse sectors such as food quality control, apiculture, nutritional science, biodiversity and contribute to the well-being of communities.

These direct and indirect obtained results contribute to the broader impact of the project, encompassing scientific advancements, economic growth, societal benefits, and environmental conservation. The quantitative characteristics may vary depending on the extent to which the project’s findings are adopted and applied in practice.

• Brief information about the justification

Honey is a natural product, rich in diverse composition due to its geographical origin. Our project will study the chemical composition of honey from different countries, including Kazakhstan, Italy and China, using analytical instruments GC-MS, HPLC-MS/MS, HPLC-DAD, with a focus on pilot organic compounds, polyphenols, organic acids and vitamins B2, B3, C. In addition, the antioxidant and nutritional properties of honey will be determined by spectrophotometric analyses. The main aspect of this project is the study of control and geospatial differentiation through chemical and statistical analyses, determining the quality control and authentication properties of honey. This project will study the regional diversity of honey and its use in food quality and authenticity.