A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey

This study critically investigates the aluminium chloride–based colorimetric determination of the total flavonoid content (TFC) of honey. Following a comprehensive review of the recent literature reporting the use of the assay in the determination of TFC in honey, 10 honeys of different botanical or...

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Main Authors: Sharmin Sultana, Ivan Lozada Lawag, Lee Yong Lim, Kevin J. Foster, Cornelia Locher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Methods and Protocols
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9279/7/6/95
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author Sharmin Sultana
Ivan Lozada Lawag
Lee Yong Lim
Kevin J. Foster
Cornelia Locher
author_facet Sharmin Sultana
Ivan Lozada Lawag
Lee Yong Lim
Kevin J. Foster
Cornelia Locher
author_sort Sharmin Sultana
collection DOAJ
description This study critically investigates the aluminium chloride–based colorimetric determination of the total flavonoid content (TFC) of honey. Following a comprehensive review of the recent literature reporting the use of the assay in the determination of TFC in honey, 10 honeys of different botanical origins were investigated using the colorimetric method alongside an artificial honey that was used as a control. Using spiking experiments, this study demonstrates that the flavonoid concentrations commonly found in honey are too low for a direct measurement and thus some of the TFC data reported in the literature might more likely be a reflection of the honey’s inherent colour rather than a product of the coordination complex formed specifically between flavonoids and Al<sup>3+</sup> ions. This paper highlights the importance of correct blanking and suggests alternative approaches to the traditional TFC assay for honey to ensure analysis results that are truly reflective of honey’s TFC.
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spelling doaj-art-47dbb0eb259345eca7e6a1e6394f51b72025-08-20T02:56:51ZengMDPI AGMethods and Protocols2409-92792024-11-01769510.3390/mps7060095A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for HoneySharmin Sultana0Ivan Lozada Lawag1Lee Yong Lim2Kevin J. Foster3Cornelia Locher4Division of Pharmacy, School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, AustraliaDivision of Pharmacy, School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, AustraliaDivision of Pharmacy, School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, AustraliaDivision of Pharmacy, School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, AustraliaThis study critically investigates the aluminium chloride–based colorimetric determination of the total flavonoid content (TFC) of honey. Following a comprehensive review of the recent literature reporting the use of the assay in the determination of TFC in honey, 10 honeys of different botanical origins were investigated using the colorimetric method alongside an artificial honey that was used as a control. Using spiking experiments, this study demonstrates that the flavonoid concentrations commonly found in honey are too low for a direct measurement and thus some of the TFC data reported in the literature might more likely be a reflection of the honey’s inherent colour rather than a product of the coordination complex formed specifically between flavonoids and Al<sup>3+</sup> ions. This paper highlights the importance of correct blanking and suggests alternative approaches to the traditional TFC assay for honey to ensure analysis results that are truly reflective of honey’s TFC.https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9279/7/6/95total flavonoid content (TFC) assayAlCl<sub>3</sub>honeyUV–Vis spectrophotometryblanking
spellingShingle Sharmin Sultana
Ivan Lozada Lawag
Lee Yong Lim
Kevin J. Foster
Cornelia Locher
A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey
Methods and Protocols
total flavonoid content (TFC) assay
AlCl<sub>3</sub>
honey
UV–Vis spectrophotometry
blanking
title A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey
title_full A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey
title_fullStr A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey
title_full_unstemmed A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey
title_short A Critical Exploration of the Total Flavonoid Content Assay for Honey
title_sort critical exploration of the total flavonoid content assay for honey
topic total flavonoid content (TFC) assay
AlCl<sub>3</sub>
honey
UV–Vis spectrophotometry
blanking
url https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9279/7/6/95
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