•
A syrup indicator peak was found on HPLC chromatogram of starch syrup in comparison with pure honeys.
•
The syrup indicator peak was identified as oligosaccharides with more than 5° of polymerisation.
•
The syrup indicator peak height correlated linearly with syrup content in the adulterated honey samples.
•
This HPLC method was used to examine some commercial honey samples.
•
The present HPLC method was a simple, fast, low cost and easy practice method for the detection of honey adulteration with starch syrup.