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Volatile fingerprints of common and rare honeys produced in Greece: in search of PHVMs with implementation of the honey code

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Abstract

A non-targeted metabolomic methodology using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in combination with headspace solid-phase microextraction was applied for the identification of pharmaceutical honey volatile metabolites. Common and rare honeys (citrus, fir, honeydew, pine, thyme, asfaka, arbutus, chestnut, and cotton), in a total of 32 samples, were collected from different regions in Greece. Seventy-three volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified and semi-quantified using the internal standard method. Among volatiles, the norisoprenoid 3,4,6,6-tetramethylbicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ene-2,8-dione, was identified for the first time to contribute to Greek honey aroma. Pharmaceutical VOCs of interest included: terpenes, norisoprenoids benzene derivatives/phenolic volatiles and other compounds. The content of such metabolites was affected by honey’s botanical origin (p < 0.05). The honey code was developed to construe differences among honey varieties with respect to semi-quantitative data of pharmaceutical volatile metabolites. The exploitation of natural organic compounds for the treatment of diseases is of great value.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank local beekeepers and Rhodes and Thassos Beekeeping Associations for the donation of honey samples. Prof. M.G. Kontominas, who provided access to the Laboratory of Food Chemistry at Chemistry Department of University of Ioannina, is greatly acknowledged.

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The present study was not funded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Industrial and Food Chemistry, Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina Campus, Ioannina, 45110, Greece

    Ioannis K. Karabagias, Christos Nikolaou & Vassilios K. Karabagias

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  1. Ioannis K. Karabagias
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  2. Christos Nikolaou
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  3. Vassilios K. Karabagias
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Correspondence to Ioannis K. Karabagias.

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The authors need funding to expand present research philosophy at an international level.

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Karabagias, I.K., Nikolaou, C. & Karabagias, V.K. Volatile fingerprints of common and rare honeys produced in Greece: in search of PHVMs with implementation of the honey code. Eur Food Res Technol 245, 23–39 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-018-3137-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-018-3137-x

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