Direct Electrochemical Determination of Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and its Application to Honey Samples

In this work an electrochemical method is evaluated for direct hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content determination in untreated honey samples. The HMF presented a single, well‐defined reduction signal at −1100 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Borate was confirmed as being the most suitable supporting electrolyte for determining HMF content in honey because it allowed better definition and selectivity of the HMF reduction signal. The detection limit for the differential pulse polarography method was 48 ppb and it was successfully applied to three samples of Mexican honey, using the standard addition method.