Here you can find the analytical tests we offer, the parameters we use for each test, and the role that each parameter plays in honey investigations.
| Honey authenticity | Parameter | Analytical service |
| Adulteration by external sugars | Major carbohydrate composition | Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) |
| Origin inference | Botanical and geographical inference | Pollen analysis |
| Honey quality parameters | ||
| Excessive heating/age/storage | Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content | HPLC |
| Honey characterization | ||
| Stability indicator | Moisture | Refractometry |
| Acidity (pH) | Electrochemical Analysis | |
| Proline | Spectrophotometry | |
| Service packages | ||
| Origin inference | Botanical and geographical inference | Pollen analysis |
| Authenticity and quality | Major carbohydrate and HMF content | NMR and HPLC |
| Physico-chemical profile | Moisture content, acidity, proline. | Multiple |
These services and/or analytical tests not listed above may be requested subject to availability. The service costs for any services not listed in the above table would be determined per request.
Considerations for your sample
Preparing a sample
Ensure that you mix/homogenise your honey before taking a sample. This will reduce the risk of the sample being a skewed representation of the honey. This is particularly important for pollen analysis as the pollen residue may collect at the bottom of a container. A minimum of 50 g of sample is required.
Sample storage and labelling
Store your sample in an appropriate leak-proof container and annotate each sample with the harvest date and with a unique identifier e.g. Sample 1, Honey A, Citrus honey #IR746. The identifier will be used in the analytical report to identify each sample.
Delivering the sample
The address to which the sample(s) must be delivered is stipulated on the quote for the analysis.
Expected timeline for analyses
The respective analytical reports will become available within 5-10 working days per sample.
Important notices
Samples will be analysed once proof of payment for the appropriate quote is received. Melimetric will not refund any samples that have resulted in ambiguous or unfavourable outcomes, e.g. submitting filtered honey for pollen analysis.
Pollen analysis does not guarantee a definitive botanical or geographical origin inference. Where possible, the palynomorphs will be identified to a suitable taxonomic identity, and the inferences based thereon. The pollen report will provide the proportional representation of as many palynomorphs as possible, regardless of their taxonomic identity.