Characteristic Components and Authenticity Evaluation of Chinese Honeys from Three Different Botanical Sources

Abstract

We aimed to identify the characteristic phytochemicals of safflower, Chinese sumac, and bauhinia honeys to assess their authenticity. We discovered syringaldehyde, riboflavin, lumiflavin, lumichrome, rhusin [(1E,4E)-1,5-diphenylpenta-1,4-dien-3one-O-cinnamoyl oxime], bitterin {4-hydroxy-4-[3-(1-hydroxyethyl) oxiran-2-yl]-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one}, and unedone as characteristic phytochemicals of these three types of honeys. The average contents of syringaldehyde, riboflavin, lumiflavin, or lumichrome in safflower honey were 41.