Abstract: A new method using β-glucosidase activity was proposed to detect honey adulteration. The activities of β-glucosidase in honey from different plants, different storage conditions, and different proportions of high-fructose rice syrup were determined. The results showed that β-glucosidase activity was detectable in honey samples from different plants; however, no β-glucosidase activity was detected in honey adulterated with high-fructose rice syrup. β-glucosidase activity in rape honey showed little change during 11 months of storage at －18 ℃, 4 ℃, room temperature or 30 ℃. With increasing high-fructose rice syrup adulteration, β-glucosidase activity revealed a linear decline. In conclusion, β-glucosidase activity can be considered as an effective indicator for the identification of honey adulteration.

Key words: honey, β-glucosidase, adulteration, identification