Honey Sample Preparation

Centrifuge Application

Hettich Centrifuge Application

Preparation of honey samples for analysis

Honey, as a natural product, is a pure food source that is good for our health. However, the widespread use of crop protection agents, antibiotics and other such products mean that honey may contain substances that have an adverse impact on its quality or which can even be a potential health risk for humans. Honey is, therefore, subject to a wide range of analyses for quality assurance purposes and to protect consumers.

Despite a large number of parameters that are included in the analyses, the initial treatment of the honey is generally the same: The honey samples are taken from their containers and divided into aliquots. Extraction is then carried out, and the extracts sent for analysis.

Hettich centrifuges can be used during the extraction procedure. A solvent is added to the sample and the substance to be detected enters the solvent and is separated from the other constituents of the sample through the centrifugation procedure. The supernatant is removed by pipette and analyzed.


ADVANTAGES OF THE HETTICH METHOD

1) Combining centrifugation and freezing in a single step saves time and labor

The freezing process results in the sediment being fully or partially frozen so that the supernatant can be more easily removed, and in particular quantitatively. Until now, it was necessary to freeze the sample after the centrifugation step. The coupled high-performance cooling unit and state-of-the-art control of the ROTINA 380 R centrifuge enable centrifugation and freezing to be carried out as a single step at reduced speed. Depending on the approach, the sediment can be fully frozen and the supernatant derived quantitatively through simple decanting.

2) Space is saved as well since there is no need to store the samples in a freezer

3) Greater accuracy of the results

The accuracy of the results is greater since we have eliminated the difficult-to-reproduce step whereby the supernatant is removed by a pipette.


PREPARATION

1) Preparation of the sample

1 ml of the honey sample is first mixed with 1 ml tap water at room temperature. 5 ml acetonitrile is then added, and mixing repeated.


Important: The tubes must be closed, and the safety instructions followed for the handling of acetonitrile!


2) Centrifugation

Program 1 (pre-cooling)
The pre-cooling program PREC (Program number 99) is used to cool the centrifuge to -20 °C before use.

Program 2 (sedimentation)
The samples are then centrifuged for 5 minutes at 2,540 x g (corresponding to 4,000 min-1 with angle rotor No. 1721) at a temperature of -20 °C.

Program 3 (phase separation)
Program 2 is followed automatically by program 3. In this program, the samples are centrifuged for a further 45 minutes at 1,000 min-1 at a temperature of -20 °C. Both the start-up and braking ramp are set to the highest value of 9.

Hettich products are designed to help you achieve optimal results for your application and are built to perform to the specifications outlined in the operators manual. For application-specific information and settings, please refer to your organization’s standard operating procedure. As always, our Hettich representatives are here to help determine which Hettich products and accessories best fit your laboratory requirements.

Resources

Honey Sample Preparation Application Note

This application note provides information on specific application methods and the use of Hettich products. (more…) read more...

File type: PDF
File size: 270.9 kb
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Hettich ROTINA 380 R benchtop centrifuge product sheet

ROTINA 380 | R Product Sheet

This product sheets provides a comprehensive overview of the unique product features specific to the model. (more…) read more...

File type: PDF
File size: 161.0 kb
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Hettich manufactures centrifuges for any standard laboratory application.