## 3 Results and Discussion
### Volatile Compounds
The results revealed that there is a remarkable influence of the production Zone on the volatile profile of the honey samples. Of all the identified compounds, only 56 are common to all the 50 samples. The chemotype changes from one region to another, and the difference resides in the 23 compounds found only in certain regions. The compounds found only in Zone 1 are: 2-butanol, 5-methyl-2-hexanone, 2-heptanone, octanal, 2,2-dimethyl propanoic acid, naphthalene, nonanoic and octanoic acids. The origin of these compounds can be either vegetal (nectar and poliniferous plants) or animal, products secreted by the bee. For example, octanol is found in _Houttuynia cordata_ and in _Lavandula angustifolia_[56]. The 2-heptanone compound was identified in the secretion of bees by [PERSON] [57], but it is also found in _Artemisia dracunculus_ and _Larrea tridentate_[58; 59]. In regard to Zone 2, borneol and HMF compounds have been identified. Borneol is a monoterpic compound found in medicinal plants [60]. Borneol is used as an additive in cosmetic products due to its analgesic and antibacterial effects [61]. The presence of the HMF compound is a hint towards honey freshness [62]. In Zone 3, pentanoic acid was found. Also, it was found that Zone 1 shows a volatile profile similar to Zone 3, a relevant example being the existing common compounds, _beta_-damascenone, hotrienol, benzyl nitrile, 2,5-furancarboxaldehyde. Out of these compounds, _beta_-damascenone was found in _Ipomoea pes caprae_ with an antispastic effect [63]. Additionally, hotrienol was found to be a component of many honey varieties, and of essential oils of many plants. This compound was found to be specific to citrus, lavender, and mint honey [64; 65; 66]. By using the peak area, it is possible to determine the percentage of each compound, compared to the total surface of the areas. The calibration and concentration determination methods for volatile compounds are:  
Gauging of the calibration curve method (area normalization);  
Internal standard method [67]. For a better interpretation of the results, the first method was used, the concentration of each compound being calculated according to the following expression:  
\[\mathrm{X}\%=(\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{x}}/\sum\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{i}}), \tag{3}\]  
where: \(\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{x}}\): compound surface, \(\sum\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{i}}\): the sum of all identified compound surfaces. Table 8 shows the semi-quantification results for each product, as well as product chemical classification. The volatile compounds identified in the acacia honey samples stemming from the three geographical areas are classified into 10 chemical subclasses: Sulphur compounds, ketones, esters, aldehydes, alcohols, nitrate compounds, aliphatic hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, aromatic acids and ethers. From the collected data, we can see that the honey samples harvested from Zone 1  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Rank**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Volatile Compound (Usual and/or IUPAC Name)**} & **RI\({}^{\mathbf{a}}\)** & **Z1** & **Z2** & **Z3** \\ \cline{3-5}  & & **RI\({}^{\mathbf{b}}\)** & **RI\({}^{\mathbf{b}}\)** & **RI\({}^{\mathbf{b}}\)** \\ \hline
64 & _beta_-damascenone & 1790 & 1804 & & 1801 \\
65 & hexanoic acid & 1814 & 1836 & 1837 & 1835 \\
66 & _para_-cymen-8-ol/2-(4-methylphenyl)propan-2-ol & & 1847 & 1838 & 1838 \\
67 & _trans_-geranylacetone(5/5),6-10-dimethylbundeca-5,9-dien-2-one & & 1841 & 1846 & 1837 \\
68 & benzen  
(Transylvania) are the richest in volatile compounds, as all of these compound classes are present in the samples. Keeping in mind that the number of compounds was so high, only the majorities were discussed. Regarding the presence of acetic acid, this compound was found in samples from all three zones, but in different quantities. Acetic and butyric acids could be produced by bee metabolism [68]. This is the main compound of the honey samples, and its percentages vary between 12.26% for Zone 3, 16.64% for Zone 1 and 24.73% for Zone 2.