Authenticity, origin & quality
Identification of novel unique mānuka honey markers using high-resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics
Authors: Francisco José Díaz-Galiano; Horacio Heinzen; María José Gómez-Ramos; María Murcia-Morales; Amadeo R. Fernández-Alba
PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY
Researchers used liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, metabolomics and chemometric models to examine mānuka honey and simulated adulteration by spiking or dilution. They reported nineteen tentatively identified candidate markers and models that detected the tested adulteration scenarios at 75% mānuka-honey purity.
Reported result
Nineteen natural products were reported as putative markers, nine for the first time, and the study models detected the tested spiking and dilution scenarios at 75% purity.
Study design
analytical
Authenticity, origin and quality
Tested material
Mānuka honey, comparator honeys, known marker compounds and laboratory spiking or dilution preparations; no The 3 Beez product was tested.
Limitations
The publication explicitly describes the marker identifications as tentative and putative. Independent external validation of the proposed markers is still needed before broad routine use.
Funding & conflicts
Support acknowledged included Spanish Ministry fellowship FPU18/05113, ceiA3, AUIP, CSIC and CCDT travel support, and Ramón y Cajal fellowship RYC-2015-17959. The authors declared no known competing financial interests or personal relationships.
Applicability guardrail
This analytical study supports further authentication research; it does not authenticate an untested retail jar and does not establish a health benefit.
Scientific reference
Francisco José Díaz-Galiano; Horacio Heinzen; María José Gómez-Ramos; María Murcia-Morales; Amadeo R. Fernández-Alba (2023). Identification of novel unique mānuka honey markers using high-resolution mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Talanta. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124647
Editorial record
Responsible publisher: Manuka Drops Limited. Record updated: 2026-08-28. Retraction check recorded: 2026-08-27. Retraction status: checked-no-retraction-signal. Editorial status: published. Read the methodology.
Continue through quality and certification
This pathway concerns authenticity, measured composition, certification, grade, freshness, storage, origin and sensory profile. It is not a medical recommendation.