Application of a statistical approach to classification of honey from geographic origin

  1. Sanz, S. 1
  2. Perez, C. 2
  3. Herrera, Antonio. 2
  4. Sanz, M. 1
  5. Juan, T. 2
  1. 1 Universidad de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

  2. 2 Universidad de Zaragoza
    info

    Universidad de Zaragoza

    Zaragoza, España

    ROR https://ror.org/012a91z28

Revista:
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

ISSN: 0022-5142

Año de publicación: 1995

Volumen: 2

Número: 69

Páginas: 135-140

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.1002/JSFA.2740690202 SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-84988158983 WoS: WOS:A1995RY54800001 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Otras publicaciones en: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

Resumen

Forty eight honeys from the La Rioja region of Spain were analysed to establish their quality. Fourteen legally required parameters of quality control were measured. Samples were obtained from two geographic areas of production: Valley and Sierra. These areas present different agroclimatic conditions and, thus, different flora. Classification of these honeys according to their geographic origin was achieved by applying multivariate statistical analysis to the chemical and physical data. Acidity (free acidity and pH), mineral content (electrical conductivity and ash) and factors related to degree of freshness (hydroxymethylfurfural and diastatic activity), were found to be the most important features for classification. Determination of the geographic origin of a La Rioja honey (Valley or Sierra) was possible with 83% accuracy using only these legally required quality control parameters; pollen studies were not necessary to achieve this objective.