HPLC Determination of Low Molecular Weight Organic Acids in Honey with Series‐Coupled Ion‐Exclusion Columns

Abstract

A high performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of low molecular weight organic acids (oxalic, d‐glucuronic, citric, galacturonic, propionic, pyruvic, malic, citramalic, quinic, d‐gluconic, lactic, formic, glutaric, fumaric, succinic, and butyric) in honey, honeydew, and some anatomic structures of honeybees is reported. In honey and honeydew analysis a dilution and filtration of the sample is enough. Honeybee samples need to be centrifuged and filtered before analysis. The best chromatographic separation of the acids is achieved by using four ion‐exclusion columns connected in series, employing water with an 0.1% (v/v) of o‐phosphoric acid as a mobile phase. Oxalic acid analysis can be carried out using only two columns. The detection is made at 210 nm. The procedure is applied satisfactorily to a variety of matrices.

Keywords:

• Honey
• Organic acids
• Ion‐exclusion chromatography

Acknowledgment

Financial support of this Project (API98‐002) by MAPA‐INIA (Spain) is gratefully acknowledged.