Abstract:
This research investigated geographical correlations between the methylglyoxal (MGO) levels in manuka honey and the amount of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) being made available to foraging honey bees by manuka trees. Sol id phase micro-extract ion (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to quantify MGO levels in honey produced by apiaries at specific geographical locations. An at tempt was made to develop SPME GC-MS methodology for analysing DHA levels in manuka floral nectar . A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was subsequently developed and used to analyse DHA levels in manuka flowers collected from distinct geographical areas. Geospatial analysis showed a positive correlation between the MGO levels in manuka honey and the DHA levels in manuka flowers on trees surrounding the apiaries that produced the honey.
