Publications

Mānuka’s Unique Antimicrobial Activity
04 Dec 2023
HONEY
In most honeys, the antimicrobial activity comes from the hydrogen peroxide content that is produced by the
enzyme glucose oxidase (Mandal & Mandal, 2011). But with honeys like mānuka, we know there is another
activity source that does not come from hydrogen peroxide. This activity is called non-peroxide activity (NPA).
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Glyphosate Residues in Honey
08 Jul 2019
HONEY
Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used herbicide (weed-killer). Residues of glyphosate have been found
in honey globally, and as a result some countries and/or consumers have an interest in this being measured.
This article briefly covers the history of glyphosate use, and some recent international developments that
have increased consumer and media awareness.
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What is Diastase
05 Aug 2019
HONEY
Diastase is the common name for an enzyme called alpha amylase. The role of this enzyme is to break up complex carbohydrates like starch into smaller sugars that can be more easily metabolised. Bees add diastase to nectar during feeding, although as there is no starch in nectar, it is not clear why this function has evolved.
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HMF: The effects of aging and heat treatment of honey
09 Sep 2019
HONEY
In honey, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is used as an indicator of aging and heat treatment. HMF is commonly tested for as part of the mānuka 3-in-1 test along with DHA (dihydroxyacetone) and MGO (methylglyoxal). International standards, including CODEX, specify that honey should contain no more than 40 mg/kg of HMF (Codex Alimentarius Commission, 2001).
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Understanding the Value of Pollen Counting
08 Apr 2019
HONEY
Pollen count is a test that identifies what pollen types are present in a honey sample and how much pollen in total is in a sample. This test can be used to help understand where bees have been foraging to predict what nectar has been used in making the honey.
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How to take a representative honey sample
07 Sep 2015
HONEY
You will get the best possible information from laboratory testing by sending a sample that is a good representation of the honey it has been taken from. The better job you can do of this, the lower the risk that future tests from the same batch will give you an unexpected result.
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What do we know about Kanuka Honey?
10 Feb 2020
HONEY
The unique antibacterial properties of manuka honey have had a lot of attention in the past few decades, with
manuka honey garnering a high value in the international market and drawing global attention to New Zealand
and this unique honey variety. Kanuka (Kunzea ericoides), a distant relative of manuka (Leptospermum scoparium),
has received less attention, despite this honey too having unique health properties.
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Tutin from a lab’s perspective
01 Oct 2022
HONEY
All New Zealand beekeepers will know about the infamous tutin due to the strict food safety rules introduced
by the Ministry of Primary Industries in 2010. When your honey is sent away to be tested for tutin, what is it
laboratories are looking for and what do the numbers tell you?
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ALS acquires Analytica Laboratories, New Zealand
09 Sep 2022
ALS acquires Analytica Laboratories, New Zealand
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Diastase: you may want to get a test!
01 Aug 2022
HONEY
Given current conditions in the honey industry, a lot of people still have honey sitting around and it has likely
been sitting there for a lot longer than expected. With the correct storage conditions, honey can be stored
for a long time without any issues, but if your honey has been stored in uncontrolled or hot conditions, you
may want to get a diastase test.
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Common and emerging tests for honey
22 Apr 2022
HONEY
Whether you’re buying or selling, you will need to have your honey tested by a laboratory to meet either an Overseas Market Requirement (OMAR) or the requirement of a prospective buyer. This article outlines some of these common and emerging tests.
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