Screening of Polish Fir Honeydew Honey Using GC / MS , HPLC ‐ DAD , and Physical‐Chemical Parameters: Benzene Derivatives and Terpenes as Chemical Markers

GC / MS of headspace solid phase micro extraction ( HS ‐ SPME ) and solvent extractives along with targeted HPLC ‐ DAD of Polish fir ( Abies alba Mill .) honeydew honey ( FHH ), were used to determine the chemical profiles and potential markers of botanical origin. Additionally, typical physical‐chemical parameters were also assigned. The values determined for FHH were: conductivity (1.2 mS/cm), water content (16.7 g/100 g), pH (4.5), and CIE chromaticity coordinates ( L * = 48.4, a * = 20.6, b * = 69.7, C * = 72.9, and h ° = 73.5). FHH contained moderate‐high total phenolic content (533.2 mg  GAE /kg) and antioxidant activity (1.1 mmol  TEAC /kg) and (3.2 mmol Fe 2+ /kg) in DPPH and FRAP assays. The chemical profiles were dominated by source plant‐originated benzene derivatives: 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (up to 8.7 mg/kg, HPLC /honey solution), methyl syringate (up to 14.5%, GC /solvent extracts) or benzaldehyde (up to 43.7%, GC /headspace). Other markers were terpenes including norisoprenoid (4‐hydroxy‐3,5,6‐trimethyl‐4‐(3‐oxobut‐1‐enyl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one, up to 20.3%, GC /solvent extracts) and monoterpenes, mainly linalool derivatives (up to 49%, GC /headspace) as well as borneol (up to 5.9%, GC /headspace). The application of various techniques allowed comprehensive characterisation of FHH . 4‐Hydroxy‐3,5,6‐trimethyl‐4‐(3‐oxobut‐1‐enyl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one, coniferyl alcohol, borneol, and benzaldehyde were first time proposed for FHH screening. Protocatechuic acid may be a potential marker of FFH regardless of the geographical origin.