A SIMPLE EXTRACTIVE TECHNIQUE FOR HONEY FLAVONOID HPLC ANALYSIS

A simple technique for routine analysis of flavonoids from honey has been described utilising a combination of filtration through the resin Amberlite XAD-2 and extraction with ethyl ether. The proposed method is less complex than other methods for honey flavonoid analysis reported previously. The HPLC conditions for flavonoid analysis have also been improved. This technique was applied to the analysis of flavonoids in 27 honey samples from the La Alcarria region (Spain). The total flavonoid content of the different samples ranged between 5 and 20 mug flavonoid/g honey. The major flavonoids in these samples were the flavanones pinocembrin and pinobanksin and the flavone chrysin. A total of 18 different flavonoids were detected in the honey samples analysed.