Pyrolysis Mass Spectrometry (Py-MS) was used to investigate discrimination
of honey samples from different floral (ten) and geographical (seven) origi
ns. The data were analysed statistically (using Principal Component and Dis
criminant Factor Analysis) in order to check the possibility of the use of
these profiles for characterising the botanical source of honey. Py-MS show
ed as a very useful tool for the rapid discrimination of honeys from differ
ent botanical origins. Separation of the geographical origin of honey was u
nsuccessful and this is likely to be due to the very large and varied botan
ical origins of honey located within a single geographical region. (C) 2001
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