ASU scientists present unique method for identification of Altai honey

17 April 2018 Department of Information and Media Communications
On April 13 a scientific discussion took place at Altai State University within the framework of the II Interregional Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation "From Bioproducts to Bioeconomy". The attendees touched upon different methods for determining the quality and origin of honey. The conference hosted representatives of Altai Krai Government, scientists, beekeepers and leading processors of honey and bee products of the region.

The main topic of the event was opportunity for attestation of the unique method for assessment of Altai honey, which had been developed by the scientists at Altai State University. According to official data, over 4 thousand tons of honey is annually produced on the territory of Altai Krai. However, there is a problem of popular product counterfeiting, which negatively affects both businesses that produce honey and region’s economy.

“Altai honey is a brand product, which is in high demand and is held in respect all over the country. That is why there emerge a lot of counterfeit products on the market. Producers from other regions sell counterfeits under the guise of Altai honey. That is why we need specific tools to defend our products. Thus, we have presented the method for identification of Altai honey, which Altai State University scientists have been developing together with Novosibirsk Center for Metrology and Standardization. The method helps to determine the quality and origin of honey,” Alexander A. Kondykov, Deputy Head of Altai Krai Department for Food, Processing and Pharmaceutical Industries, noted.

The method for identification of Altai honey was developed by scientists from the Laboratory for Bioengineering under Altai State University. It is based on spectral analysis, widely used in criminalistics, with the help of which the spectrum of honey that depends on its chemical composition is determined.

"Our method makes it possible, when creating a database of spectra, to compare different areas where honey was produced, which, of course, have differences. Thus, we have already formed a database of honey from various places in the region. And when we have a sample that we want to analyze, we compare it to our database. Now it has about 600 spectra of 69 honey samples, 36 of them are made in Altai Krai, the rest come from other regions of the country and even from China," Head of Laboratory for Bioengineering of ASU, Deputy Director for Science of South Siberian Botanical Garden, Candidate of Biology Maxim G. Kutsev explained.

Scientists and specialists of Scientific Research Institute for Metrology, Altai State University, Altai State Agricultural University, leading beekeepers and processors of honey and bee products of Altai Krai participated in the discussion.

The methodology presented by the scientists of Altai State University provoked heated discussions. As a result, the participants of the event have come to a decision that the methodology in the finalized form should be certified and put into practice.

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