Multi-omics analysis of the characteristic components of Apis Cerana honey from Changbai mountain

Apis cerana honey from Changbai Mountain (CBS honey), produced in northeastern China, is a high-quality specialty honey that has long been recognized as a natural health product with medicinal properties. In this study, UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics and ultra-fast proteomics technologies were employed to analyze the differences in metabolites and proteins among Apis cerana honey samples collected from various Chinese regions, including Jilin, Sichuan, Hainan, Hubei, and Tibet. Through an integrated multi-omics analysis, we identified candidate characteristic compounds, including 12 potential characteristic metabolites and 13 characteristic proteins, to differentiate CBS honey from Apis cerana honeys produced in other regions. These findings provide foundational reference for the authentication and geographical origin traceability of CBS honey.