Application of Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectroscopy for Honey Quality Evaluation

Honey is rich in nutrients and has a wide range of biological activities. However, due to the different botanical origins, geographical origins, entomological origins, and maturity, honey shows significant differences in their endogenous compositions and nutritional values. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are closely related to the characteristic properties of honey, and can be used to characterize the differences between honey. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectroscopy (GC-IMS) is a new technology which combines gas chromatography with ion mobility spectroscopy for the determination of VOCs. In recent years, GC-IMS has been gradually applied to entomological origins identification, geographical origin tracing, botanical origin differentiation, adulteration identification and maturity evaluation of honey, and has achieved good results, showing great application potential in honey quality evaluation. In this paper, the application research progress of GC-IMS for honey quality evaluation is summarized. It is suggested that future research should be carried out from the aspects of establishing honey GC-IMS database, developing GC-IMS equipment with fusion quantitative function, developing the technical standard of quality evaluation based on GC-IMS, and using GC-IMS in combination with other detection technologies, in order to provide reference for the application of GC-IMS for honey quality control, flavor research and product development.