Leptosperin

Key Marker for Authentic Manuka Honey Identification

Leptosperin is the first of what could be a number of Manuka specific chemical markers, which are used to identify Manuka honey for authenticity and labelling purposes.

Close-up view of microscopic bacteria cells in shades of red and orange, representing a bacterial infection or microbiology concept.

Leptosperin Testing for Honey Authenticity

Leptosperin is a naturally occurring chemical, found only in the nectar of Mānuka plants (and a few very close relatives). It was first identified (and patented) by Japanese researcher Kato in 2014*, and later that year its presence in Mānuka nectar was reported by the UMFHA and ALS at the Apiculture Industry Conference in Whanganui, New Zealand. Leptosperin concentration is stable over time, and therefore measuring its concentration in honey is a good way of identifying whether the honey comes from Mānuka nectar, and whether it can be labelled as Mānuka, or a Mānuka blend, or as a multi-floral honey.

Leptosperin concentrations have the ability to highlight cases of possible adulteration of honey to look like Mānuka.

At this stage, UMFHA holds the NZ license for the use of Leptosperin testing in Mānuka honey, and ask us to collect a royalty for all tests carried out. UMFHA members pay a $5 + GST per test royalty and non-members pay a $10 + GST per test royalty. Royalties are collected by ALS for payment in full to the UMFHA.

*Kato Y, Fujinaka R, Ishisaka A, Nitta Y, Kitamoto N, Takimoto Y. Plausible authentication of manuka honey and related products by measuring leptosperin with methyl syringate. J. Agric. Food Chem., 2014, 62 (27), pp 6400–6407

HOW DOES ALS CONDUCT THE TEST?

A sub sample of honey is extracted in ultra-pure water, diluted and analysed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC).

PRICING AND TURNAROUND TIME

The turnaround time for Leptosperin is 1 - 2 working days. Please contact us for current pricing.

WHY USE ALS?

ALS developed the leptosperin method on behalf of Unique Manuka Factor® Honey Association (UMFHA) and was the first lab in New Zealand offering this testing.