Selected Physical Properties of Lime Bee Honey in Order to Discriminate Between Pure Honey and Honey Adulterated with Glucose

Abstract

The refractive index, conductivity, optical rotation, thermophysical parameters, and infrared spectra of bee honey samples, as well as the content of β-carotene and potassium, were determined with a view to discriminate between pure honey and honey adulterated with glucose. The glass transition temperature and the optical rotation may be used for qualitative assessment of honey adulteration with glucose. Another indication of lime honey adulterated with glucose was the β-carotene content below 20 ppm and the potassium content below 200 ppm. The minimum detectable amount of glucose adulterant was 25 g in 100 g honey.