Honey: A Complex Organic Chemical Mixture Analysis by GC-MS

Analyzing honey samples using GC-MS demonstrates its capability to identify complex organic compounds. Proper sample preparation is critical for accurate results. At Anderson Materials Evaluation, we are able to analyze the most unique samples with our wide range of analysis services. We can identify chemical compounds and VOCs, for industries like food, fragrance, drug and medicine, environmental, chemical testing, forensics, and polymer sciences.

Sample Preparation Techniques

  1. Solvent Extraction: We extracted honey samples with dichloromethane. We then injected 1 ml of the extract into the GC.
  2. HS-SPME: Volatile compounds were extracted using headspace SPME. We used a 65 mm PDMS/DVB fiber to adsorb the volatiles. A 3g sample was placed in a 15 ml vial, sealed, and conditioned at 50°C for 30 minutes. We then exposed he SPME syringe to the headspace for 30 minutes and desorbed in the GC inlet at 250°C.

Findings

  • Solvent Extraction: We identified 25 different compounds, mostly carbohydrates like L-Glucose, DL-Arabinose, Sucrose, b-Lactose, and D-Mannose. Other detected compounds included alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, and furan compounds.
  • HS-SPME: We found 83 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These included alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, terpenes, furans, and lactones. VOCs provide distinct aromas to honey. We found methyl anthranilate, a floral marker of citrus honey, only in golden blossom and orange blossom honeys. Other floral markers included linalool oxide and lilac aldehydes.

Tables of Results

  • Table 1: Lists the compounds found using solvent extraction.
Honey (a complex organic mixture) analysis by GC-MS with solvent extraction
  • Table 2: Lists the VOCs identified using HS-SPME.
Honey (a complex organic mixture) analysis results by SPME GC-MS- Table Part1

Conclusion

GC-MS, with its high sensitivity and compatibility with various samples, is ideal for analyzing honey. It can identify chemical compounds and VOCs, making it useful for food, fragrance, drug and medicine, environmental, chemical testing, forensics, and polymer sciences.

Contact us today to discuss your materials analysis needs. Our team of Ph.D. scientists is happy to help your business improve through insights into your materials.