Characterization of a distinctive marker for monofloral honey of Bauhinia championii (Benth.) Benth.by combining untargeted and targeted mass spectrometry analyses

The monofloral honey derived from Bauhinia championii (Benth.) Benth. (MH-Bc) possesses significant nutritional and bioactive value, making it highly suitable for commercial exploitation. However, the poorly defined characteristics and unknown composition have hindered MH-Bc product development. In this study, we employed a combination of untargeted and targeted mass spectrometry analyses to characterize MH-Bc honey. As a result, 4,7,8-trimethoxydibenzo[b,d]furan-3-ol (TDBF) was identified as a robust chemical marker for distinguishing MH-Bc from other types of honey. This specific marker was detected in both MH-Bc and the Bc plant but was absent in other honey varieties. Furthermore, a targeted mass spectrometry quantitative method was developed and validated to accurately determine the content of TDBF in honey samples. Overall, the presence of TDBF serves as a discerning indicator for future commercial MH-Bc products.