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Honey is one of the most valuable sweeteners consumed by humans all over the world. Consequently, it is often a target for adulteration through the addition of different sugar syrups during or after honey production, resulting in a reduction in its nutritive value. For the first time, this study analyzes honey samples of various botanical species collected from different Lebanese regions using element analyzer (EA) and liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The δ13C of bulk honey, its protein fraction, and the main individual sugars (glucose, fructose, disaccharides, and trisaccharide) were determined, in order to characterize and evaluate the authenticity of honey consumed in Lebanon. The results showed that the δ13C values for bulk honey and its protein range from −26.5‰ to −24.5‰ and from −26.4‰ to −24.7‰, respectively, for authentic samples. δ13C values for samples adulterated with sugar syrups range from −11.2‰ to −25.1‰ for bulk honey and from −26.6‰ to −23.7‰ for its proteins, with a difference between bulk and protein values between −1 and −8.7‰. Using LC‐C‐IRMS techniques, the δ13C of individual sugars provides additional information on the presence of undeclared sugars. We found that all authentic samples had Δδ13Cf‐g and Δδ13C max values within the naturally occurring range of ±1‰ and ±2.1‰, respectively, while the adulterated samples fall outside the Δδ13C ranges. The oligosaccharide peak was detected in most adulterated samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method, using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the detection of fourteen natural and synthetic hormones in muscles, was validated in other bovine matrices (liver, kidney, bile and hair) according to the Decision Commission 2002/657/EC. As result, this method demonstrates good linearity (R2 > 0.99) as well as accuracy with coefficients of variation for repeatability and reproducibility lower than 23%. Moreover, the values of decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were determined indicating values ranging from 0.13 to 0.86 μg/kg and 0.25–1.72 μg/k for the majority of analytes. Recovery rate in the different matrices varied from 51.5 to 107%. Indeed, this method has been successfully applied to detect anabolic hormones in eighty-eight samples (muscle, liver, kidney, and bile) collected from different local slaughterhouses. Results showed that progesterone was found in 30 samples at concentrations ranging from 0.11 to 11.7 μg/kg, while testosterone was detected in 34 samples at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 9.52 μg/kg. All bile samples contain epi-testosterone at concentration ranging from 0.89 to 280 μg/kg. These obtained data were used to calculate the estimated daily intake, hazard quotient and hazard index as exposure assessment. • Quick LC–MS/MS method was developed for hormones analysis in bovine matrices. • The method provided high recoveries and low detection limits. • Matrix effect was calculated for all analytes in the different matrices. • Method was successfully applied to detect hormones in eighty-eight real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]