HPTLC Fingerprinting—Rapid Method for the Differentiation of Honeys of Different Botanical Origin Based on the Composition of the Lipophilic Fractions

摘要

Bee honey possess various nutritional and medicinal functions, which are the result ofits diverse chemical composition. The numerous bioactive compounds in honey come from flowernectar; thus, the identification of the specific chemical profiles of honey samples is of great importance.The lipophilic compounds from eight monofloral honeys (rape, buckwheat, clover, willow, milk thistle,dandelion, raspberry and sweet yellow clover) were investigated. Analyses of the lipophilic fractionsobtained by UAE (ultrasound assisted extraction) and SPE (solid phase extraction) extractions wereperformed using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Chromatographic andcluster analyses allowed the identification of a unique, colorful pattern of separated compoundswith specific Rf values on the HPTLC plate for each type of monofloral honey. HPTLC is a simpleand effective visual method of analysis, and it can serve as a basis for authenticating different typesof honey.