Chromatography Test for Honey Adulteration

Researchers from Univerité de Lyon (Lyon, France) have developed a chromatographic method for distinguishing 100% natural honey from adulterated or impure honey. According to the researchers, some beekeepers and honey traders modify natural honey in an effort to increase its market value. The unscrupulous vendors do this by adding adulterants such as corn syrup. The analysis method involves a solid-phase extraction (SPE) sample preparation step using a cartridge packed with polymeric phase and a 12-port vacuum manifold followed by ion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. The researchers report that the complexity of the honey matrix makes the detection of honey adulteration difficult.