Universitas Gadjah Mada Develops Metagenomic Analysis of Honey for Quality Control and Authenticity
Yogyakarta – A researcher from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Imam Bagus Nugroho, S.Si., M.Sc., from the Agricultural Technology Unit, is developing an innovative study titled “Metagenomic Analysis of Honey to Support Quality Control, Authenticity, and Bioprospecting of Natural Honey.” Initiated in 2023, this research aims to improve quality control standards and authenticity verification of natural honey in Indonesia by leveraging Big Data Analytics and Machine Learning approaches.
The study focuses on the classification of fermented products, particularly honey, based on origin, production methods, and other key attributes. The methodology involves the application of both Unsupervised and Supervised Machine Learning on metabarcoding and metagenomic data. This approach is expected to produce precise models or algorithms capable of identifying the unique characteristics of honey, distinguishing authentic honey from adulterated or contaminated products, and uncovering its bioprospecting potential.
Imam Bagus Nugroho explained that this research is a cross-faculty collaborative effort within Universitas Gadjah Mada, reflecting the university’s commitment to impactful scientific development. Funded internally and still ongoing, the study is expected to make significant contributions to the honey industry and consumer protection. The main output of this research will be practical models or algorithms ready for application.
Through this innovation, Universitas Gadjah Mada aims to deliver technology-based solutions to ensure the integrity of natural honey products while also opening new opportunities in exploring the biological potential of honey. The findings are expected to serve as a strong foundation for future policies on honey quality control and authenticity.
