In recent times, the authenticity of honey has come under scrutiny due to widespread adulteration practices. To combat this, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing has emerged as a powerful tool for ensuring the purity and quality of honey. This article explores the comprehensive parameters tested in NMR, focusing on the detection of exogenous sugars, verification of country of origin, botanical variety, composition analysis, freshness, atypical samples, and compliance checks for HMF, sucrose, glucose, and fructose.
Parameters Tested in NMR:
1. Exogenous Sugars Detection:
- NMR can identify and quantify exogenous sugars, such as corn syrup and rice syrup, used to adulterate honey.
2. Verification of Country of Origin:
- NMR helps verify the geographical origin of honey, ensuring it aligns with the labeled information, preventing misrepresentation.
3. Botanical Variety Verification:
- The technique assists in verifying the botanical variety of honey, ensuring consumers receive what is claimed on the label.This is super important to check authenticity of monofloral honey and it doesnt contain honey from any other flowers accept the one written on label.
4. Composition Analysis and Freshness:
- NMR allows for a detailed analysis of honey composition, detecting any anomalies or deviations from the expected profile. It also aids in assessing the freshness of honey.
5. Detection of Atypical Samples:
- NMR is sensitive enough to identify atypical samples, providing a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond routine tests.
6. Compliance Checks (HMF, Sucrose, Glucose, Fructose):
- NMR ensures compliance with quality standards by checking for the presence of Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and accurate levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose.
Testing Methodology and Modelling:
As per National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) , NMR testing utilizes spectroscopy for validating purity of honey. The testing process involves spectral analysis, allowing for the identification of various compounds. Importantly, the use of Light Gradient Boosting Machines (LightGBM) in modeling enhances the precision and accuracy of detecting adulteration.
Types of Adulteration and Prevalence:
The article highlights four types of adulteration, with a specific focus on jaggery, corn, and rice adulteration. It emphasizes the prevalence of these practices and their impact on the purity of honey.
Honeygate Scandal in India:
Citing a report from Business Today, it is revealed that most honey available in India has failed NMR testing. However, a few brands have proved their honey purity in NMR testing, such as Orbee and Indigenous Honey. Orbee, in particular, conducted NMR testing in France, showcasing its commitment to ensuring its honey is unadulterated, safe, and pure.
NMR testing plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the authenticity of honey, offering a detailed analysis of various parameters. The prevalence of adulteration, as evidenced in the Honeygate scandal in India, underscores the importance of robust testing methods. Brands like Orbee and Indigenous Honey set an example by prioritizing NMR testing and ensuring the integrity of their products, ultimately promoting consumer trust in the honey industry. Orbee has passed NMR testing on all parameters for its monofloral honey variations in France