Extractable organic substances from New Zealand unifloral manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honeys
Author(s)
Alistair L Wilkins, Yinrong Lu, Peter C Molan
Abstract
The range and concentrations of extractable organic substances occurring in 14 samples of New Zealand manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honey taken in the 1989-1990 season were compared with those found in some 1985-1987 samples. The samples were analysed using gas chromatography with flame ion detection and combined gas chromatographymass spectrometry. The concentrations of 69 compounds are listed. The results verify an earlier proposition that irrespective of season and geographical origin, samples of unifloral manuka honey are characterized by a combined concentration of 2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-(41-methoxyphenyl) propionic acid greater than 700 mg/kg honey, a combined concentration of syringic acid and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid greater than 35 mg/kg honey, and a combined concentration of acetophenone and 2 methoxyacetophenone greater than 20 mg/kg honey.
Keywords
honey, botanical composition, organic compounds, 2-hydroxy-3phenylpropionic acid, manuka, Leptospermum scoparium, gas chromatography, New Zealand
