ManukaHoney–HealthyOrAdulterated?

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Dec 21, 2017 - Analytics

ManukaHoney–HealthyOrAdulterated?

Manuka honey is a high-priced honey from the nectar of the New Zealand tea tree, also known as the South Sea myrtle (lat.: Leptosperum scoparium). The price depends significantly on the "Unique Manuka Factor™" (UMF). The higher the UMF, the higher the price. The UMF is determined based on various criteria, such as the content of methylglyoxal (MGO). Due to its antimicrobial effect – based on MGO – it is used to treat inflammations, cold-related illnesses, and other infections and is also referred to as medicinal honey.

Approximately 10,000 tons of Manuka honey are sold worldwide at high prices. The price per kilogram varies depending on the UMF or MGO content between approximately €80 and €260. However, only about 1,700 tons of Manuka honey are produced. These large discrepancies are a clear indication of the occurrence of adulteration in the marketed Manuka honeys.

How can adulteration of Manuka honey be detected or the authenticity of Manuka honey be ensured?

According to EU honey directives, physicochemical, organoleptic, and microscopic methods are used for variety determination. However, in this case, the microscopic pollen analysis is omitted because Manuka pollen cannot be distinguished from the related Kanuka pollen (Kunzea ericoides/robusta). A Kanuka honey would thus also pass as Manuka honey in pollen analysis.

The "Ministry for Primary Industries" in New Zealand is very keen for Manuka honey to retain its excellent reputation. Therefore, it initiated the "Mānuka Honey Science Programme," through which, among other things, the PCR-based ManKan™ method was developed. The method is intended to enable the identification and also quantification of Manuka DNA in honey. Additionally, four other characteristic substances were established to support the DNA test.

The QSI GmbH, located in the "honey capital" Bremen, with over 60 years of experience in honey analytics, is currently testing the procedure. The four characteristic substances, in particular, are being examined closely because existing data show that these substances do not all occur exclusively in Manuka honey but also in other plants. Some of them are even synthetically producible and could have been added to fake Manuka honey to suggest authenticity. Since the New Zealand procedure requires multiple methods to be combined, the costs for the analytics accordingly increase.

QSI GmbH sees higher potential in NMR spectroscopy (NMR = Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), as used at the laboratory site in Bremen. This allows for the depiction of a molecular "fingerprint" that is characteristic of Manuka honey. This method is already used to verify the authenticity of other honeys and foods, allowing for both qualitative and quantitative statements. It is currently the most powerful method regarding robustness, comparability, adulteration security, and cost-effectiveness that the market has to offer.

In our Tentamus laboratories, we routinely conduct this analysis. We provide you with fast and reliable results. Our customer service representatives are available for any questions you may have.

Source: Tentamus-Group GmbH