Detection of key factors affecting specific optical rotation determination in honey

The effects of honey type (X-1), liquefaction temperature (X-2) and timing (X-3), prefiltering (X-4), sample weight (X-5), dilution volume (X-6), Carrez I (X-7) and Carrez II volume (X-8), final filtering (X-9), polarimeter tube length (X-10) and reading system (X-11) on the determination of the specific optical rotation (SOR, R-1) determination were investigated using the fractional experimental design . X-1 and X-11 showed strong influence as key factors. Although X-1 differentiate blossom from honeydew honey, X-11 can mistake the determination of this parameter and thus the classification of honeys. This study sets an uncertain interval (-5o to +5o) of overlapping between the SOR of blossom and honeydew honeys. Automatic polarimeter system showed lower variability than manual. Factors affecting pH (R-2) and electrical conductivity (EC, R-3) of working solutions were identified as X-4, X-6, X-8, X-11; and X-4, X-7, X-8, X-11, respectively.