ADULTERATION OF HONEY WITH HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP - DETECTION BY DIFFERENT METHODS

Pure honey was deliberately adulterated with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) at levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% (w/w). Sugar compositi on as a fingerprint was determined by HPLC for all samples. The follow ing compositional properties were determined for pure and adulterated honey: moisture, total soluble solids, nitrogen, apparent viscosity, h ydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), ash, sodium, calcium, potassium, proline, refractive index and diastatic activity. Statistical analysis revealed that the following compositional properties were highly significantly negatively correlated with sugar composition: dry matter, apparent vi scosity, sodium, potassium, proline, and nitrogen. In contrast, ash, c alcium, HMF, and moisture were highly significantly positively correla ted with sugar composition for pure and adulterated honey. Accordingly , such simple tests can be applied as good indicators for detecting th e adulteration of honey with HFCS at adulteration levels ranging from 10% to 50%.