Results of an interlaboratory comparison of a liquid chromatography – isotope ratio mass spectrometry method for the determination of 13C/12C ratios of saccharides in honey

Background: Stable carbon isotope analysis of sugars in honey by LC–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is a useful tool for detecting adulteration of honey with extraneous sugar. Purity criteria based on 13C/12C ratios of saccharides in honey,determined by LC–IRMS of a large number of authentic honey samples, have been elaborated. However, no interlaboratory comparison (ILC) has yet been performed to estimate the precision of the method under reproducibility conditions. Objective: To address this knowledge gap an ILC involving 14 laboratories and using six honey samples was conducted. Methods: The participants were allowed to use their LC–IRMS-based method of choice for sample preparation and compound separation. Results: The precision figures were estimated according to ISO 5725:1994. The repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr) for the determination of d13C values of fructose and glucose varied between 0.3 and 0.5%, with 0.3 and 1.0% for disaccharides, and 0.7 and 2.8% for trisaccharides. The RSDR varied between 0.8 and 1.8% for the monosaccharides, 1.0 and 1.5% for disaccharides, and 1.4 and 2.8% for trisaccharides. Conclusion: Based on the obtained precision data the LC–IRMS method for the determination of 13C/12C ratios of saccharides in honey was considered fit for the conformity assessment of honey with established purity criteria. Highlights: Precision estimates for a LC–IRMS method to determine 13C/12C ratios of saccharides in honey were obtained through an ILC. The data created can form the basis for the standardization of the method by interested standards developing organizations for use in official control.

ARIES Eric;  DE RUDDER Olivier;  KAKLAMANOS Georgios;  MAQUET Alain;  ULBERTH Franz; 

2021-12-15

OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC

JRC120360

1060-3271 (online),   

https://academic.oup.com/jaoac/article/104/6/1698/6373899,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC120360,   

10.1093/jaoacint/qsab091 (online),