Mineral Profiling of Honey Samples from Uzbekistan and Russia through Chemometric Analysis

Mineral profiles of honey reflect the floral and environmental factors of nectar plants and play a role in determining its authenticity. However, systematic studies applying chemometric approaches to characterize these profiles are still in the early stages. This study evaluated five macroelements (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and P) and four microelements(Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) in 31 samples (29 honeys and 2 syrups) from Uzbekistan and Russia, using ICP-OES and ICP-MS. K and Ca were found most abundant in the honey samples, ranging from 97.3-977.3 mg/kg and 80.9-414.1 mg/kg. The concentrations of individual elements and the total mineral content differed significantly among floral origins, with the lowest levels observed in the syrup samples. Chemometric analyses, including Pearson’s correlation analysis, revealed positive correlations between honey color and each of Ca, Cu, Mg, and P. Principal Component analysis clearly discriminated authentic honeys from syrup. Clustering Uzbek and Russian honeys together indicated that floral source exerts a stronger influence than geographical origin. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of honey minerals in Uzbekistan and establishes a reference framework for developing a mineral-based database to support authenticity verification of honeys distributed in Uzbekistan.