Relation Between Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Physicochemical Parameters for Discrimination of Honey Samples from Jatai weyrauchi and Jatai angustula Bees

This work aims to relate near-infrared (NIR) vibration bands to physicochemical (PC) parameters in order to discriminate honey samples. To the study, 14 Jatai weyrauchi honey samples from Roraima State (northern Brazil) and 15 Jatai angustula honey samples from Paraná State (southern Brazil) were evaluated by analyzing physicochemical parameters (moisture, pH, acidity, formaldehyde index, ashes, electric conductivity, color, hydroxymethylfurfural, protein, reducing sugars, total reducing sugars and sucrose, viscosity, and water activity), besides being submitted to spectral measurements in the near-infrared range from 900 to 1700 nm. By applying ComDim multiblock analysis, it was possible to simultaneously evaluate the results from NIR spectroscopy and the evaluated PC parameters. This tool allowed to highlight the relation between NIR spectra and PC parameters by producing informative graphs showing the relationship among the samples through the scores, the saliences of the blocks, and the loadings of the variables responsible for the similarities observed in the samples scores. Based on the principal component analysis, it was possible to conclude that the PC parameters can be replaced by NIR spectroscopy in the discrimination of honey samples, improving its evaluation regarding on the speed and decreasing the amount of reagents used for this purpose.