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Application of a statistical approach to the classification of honey by geographic origin
Author(s) -
Sanz Susana,
Perez Consuelo,
Herrera Antonio,
Sanz Mercedes,
Juan Teresa
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740690202
Subject(s) - statistical analysis , geography , quality (philosophy) , multivariate statistics , statistics , mathematics , epistemology , philosophy
Forty eight honeys from the La Rioja region of Spain were analysed to establish their quality. Fourteen legally required parameters of quality control were measured. Samples were obtained from two geographic areas of production: Valley and Sierra. These areas present different agroclimatic conditions and, thus, different flora. Classification of these honeys according to their geographic origin was achieved by applying multivariate statistical analysis to the chemical and physical data. Acidity (free acidity and pH), mineral content (electrical conductivity and ash) and factors related to degree of freshness (hydroxymethylfurfural and diastatic activity), were found to be the most important features for classification. Determination of the geographic origin of a La Rioja honey (Valley or Sierra) was possible with 83% accuracy using only these legally required quality control parameters; pollen studies were not necessary to achieve this objective.