A Simple Method for Identifying Different Varieties of Honey from Yunnan, China

A targeted method for the determination of 10 active components in 4 characteristic honeys from Yunnan, China, was established using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The lower calibration limit differed among analytes, ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 μg·mL−1. The detection limits and quantification limits ranged from 0.03–1.5 mg·kg−1 and 0.1–5.0 mg·kg−1, respectively. The precision, stability, and repeatability were satisfactory. After partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) discriminant analysis was applied to four honey varieties, Brassica rapa var. oleifera DC. honey (BRH) and Hevea brasiliensis honey (HBH) clustered into one group but were clearly distinguishable from Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemarié honey (ATH) and Apis cerana honey (ACH). BRH and HBH could be further differentiated using the OPLS-DA model. Gentisic acid, trigonelline, and naringenin were differentially abundant active components among the four honeys, whereas trigonelline and naringenin exhibited differential abundance between BRH and HBH. Volcano plot analysis revealed that homoeriodictyol, quercetin, and naringenin may serve as key compounds for distinguishing ACH and ATH, BRH, and HBH honeys; that trigonelline may be a key compound for differentiating ATH and HBH, ACH, and BRH honeys; and that quercetin and apigenin may be key compounds for distinguishing HBH and ATH, ACH, and BRH honeys.