Influence of metal ions on hydroxymethylfurfural formation in honey

Abstract

The effects of added magnesium, manganese, zinc and iron(II) ions on the production of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in honey were studied using a spectrophotometric method using p-toluidine and barbituric acid for the formation of a coloured complex. All the metal ions used significantly accelerated HMF formation in honey, especially at high temperatures. As the concentration of the added metal ions was increased, there was a corresponding increase in the amount of HMF formed. Manganese ions caused the highest increase in the level of HMF, followed by zinc, magnesiumn and iron (II) ions in that order.