The Institute of Chemistry, UPLB through its Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Division (AECD) sponsored a webinar entitled “Food Authentication and Traceability through Stable Isotopes” last June 6, 2022. The speaker for the webinar was Dr. Angel T. Bautista VII, a Career Scientist from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) whose work focuses on the multi-elemental and multi-stable isotope analysis for the fingerprinting of selected food commodities, specifically on the application of the Internal Standard Stable Carbon Isotope Ratio Analysis (ISCIRA) for the authentication of Philippine honeys. 

The ISCIRA method, also known as the AOAC method 998.12, is the gold standard for honey authenticity worldwide. It makes use of a parameter called the carbon-13 signature (δ13C) which is the ratio of carbon-13 and carbon-12 isotopes present in a sample (13C:12C ratio). In pure, authentic honey, the δ13C of the bulk honey (composed mostly of sugars) and the δ13C of the honey’s protein content must be similar. The addition of adulterants to the honey will lead to deviations in the δ13C of the bulk honey sample and its protein content. In his research work, Dr. Baustista tested store- and online-bought honey samples from local and international markets. It was  found that all the store-bought imported samples were indeed authentic honey. Sadly though, 75 % of the store-bought local samples and 86.5 % of the online-bought local honey samples were adulterated by C4 sugars from sugarcane and corn. 

According to Dr. Bautista the Philippine honey market is dominated by adulterated honey, which in turn leads to industry losses of up to PHP 225 million per year. Thus, elimination of adulteration and fraud is crucial for the improvement of the Philippine honey industry.  For this reason, this webinar is very timely and very informative not only for those involved in the honey industry but to the general public as well.