Comparison of the Volatile Components of Apocynum venetum Honey from Different Production Areas in Xinjiang

<i>Apocynum venetum</i> honey, a characteristic Chinese herbal honey, is a key agricultural product in Xinjiang. To better understand its unique flavor and geographical authenticity, this study analyzed the volatile components of honey samples from three production regions via headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Overall, 160 volatile compounds were identified, with 34 exhibiting aroma activity values of >1. Notably, chemometric analysis revealed 24 key differential compounds, including phenylethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, 2-furanmethanol, 5-ethenyltetrahydro-α,α,5-trimethyl-, cis-, cedrol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, decanal, and nonanal, which significantly contributed to both geographical discrimination and unique flavor profiles. Cluster heatmap analysis demonstrated that these markers could be used to effectively differentiate the samples by origin. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the further development and utilization of this honey as well as support for expanding honey resources for use in traditional Chinese medicine.