Laboratory of Pesticides' Toxicology, Department of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 145 61 Kifissia, Greece.
General Chemical State Laboratory, Independent Public Revenue Authority (A.A.D.E.), 16 An. Tsocha Street, 115 21 Athens, Greece.
Molecules. 2023 May 8;28(9):3967. doi: 10.3390/molecules28093967.
(1) Background: Citrus honey constitutes a unique monofloral honey characterized by a distinctive aroma and unique taste. The non-targeted chemical analysis can provide pivotal information on chemical markers that differentiate honey based on its geographical and botanical origin. (2) Methods: Within the PRIMA project "PLANT-B", a metabolomics workflow was established to unveil potential chemical markers of orange blossom honey produced in case study areas of Egypt, Italy, and Greece. In some of these areas, aromatic medicinal plants were cultivated to enhance biodiversity and attract pollinators. The non-targeted chemical analysis and metabolomics were conducted using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). (3) Results: Forty compounds were disclosed as potential chemical markers, enabling the differentiation of the three orange blossom honeys according to geographical origin. Italian honey showed a preponderance of flavonoids, while in Greek honey, terpenoids and iridoids were more abundant than flavonoids, except for hesperidin. In Egyptian honey, suberic acid and a fatty acid ester derivative emerged as chemical markers. New, for honey, furan derivatives were identified using GC-MS in Greek samples. (4) Conclusions: The application of UHPLC-HRMS metabolomics combined with an elaborate melissopalynological analysis managed to unveil several potential markers of Mediterranean citrus honey potentially associated with citrus crop varieties and the local indigenous flora.
（1）背景：柑橘蜂蜜构成了一种独特的单一花蜂蜜，具有独特的香气和独特的味道。非靶向化学分析可以提供关键的信息，这些信息可以区分基于地理和植物来源的蜂蜜的化学标志物。（2）方法：在 PRIMA 项目“PLANT-B”中，建立了代谢组学工作流程，以揭示在埃及、意大利和希腊的案例研究地区生产的橙花蜜的潜在化学标志物。在这些地区中的一些地区，种植芳香药用植物以提高生物多样性并吸引传粉者。非靶向化学分析和代谢组学使用超高效液相色谱-高分辨率质谱（UHPLC-HRMS）进行。（3）结果：披露了 40 种化合物作为潜在的化学标志物，能够根据地理来源区分三种橙花蜜。意大利蜂蜜表现出类黄酮的优势，而在希腊蜂蜜中，萜烯和吲哚类化合物比类黄酮更丰富，除了橙皮苷。在埃及蜂蜜中，发现了琥珀酸和脂肪酸酯衍生物作为化学标志物。使用 GC-MS 在希腊样本中鉴定了新的、用于蜂蜜的呋喃衍生物。（4）结论：应用 UHPLC-HRMS 代谢组学结合精心的蜜粉分析，成功揭示了几种地中海柑橘蜂蜜的潜在标志物，这些标志物可能与柑橘作物品种和当地本土植物有关。
