Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

The physicochemical parameters of honey are used to determine the botanic origin of honey and to specify the composition criteria for honey in regulations and standards. The parameters of honeydew and blossom honeys from Korean beekeepers were determined to investigate whether they complied with the composition criteria for honey in the food code legislated by Korean authority and to establish the parameters which should be subjected to principal component analysis for improved differentiation of honeys. The fructose and glucose contents of the honeydew honey did not comply with the composition criteria. The ash content of the honey was closely correlated with CIE a* and CIE L* The principal component analysis of fructose to glucose ratio, CIE a*, CIE L*, ash content, free acidity, and fructose and glucose contents enabled classification of honeydew, chestnut, multifloral, and acacia honeys. Additional advantage of the principal component analysis (PCA) is that the physicochemical parameters, such as fructose to glucose ratio (F/G) and color, can be determined using the analytical instruments for composition criteria and quality control of honey. This study suggested that composition criteria for honeydew honey should be established in the food code in accordance with international standards. The principal component analysis reported in this study resulted in improved classification of the honeys from Korean beekeepers.