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Abstract Pollination services are crucial for maintaining ecological stability and ensuring food security for humans. Managed honey bees, which are economically valuable and are experiencing population growth due to the increasing demand for their products, play a significant role in pollination. To produce high-quality honey, beekeepers often choose natural high meadows, characterized by high plant species richness, for their apiaries. This practice, in turn, may contribute to the pollination of native plants, as managed honey bees are likely to forage on diverse floral resources within these meadows In this study, we investigated the nutritional position of managed bees in the pollination of native plants in Iran using the melissopalynology method to determine the extent of their contribution to the pollination of native plants. Ninety-four honey samples were collected from beekeepers located in the natural pastures of two biodiversity hotspots in Iran (Zagros and Alborz). Then, plant pollens were extracted from the honey and photographed by scanning electron microscopy. In the next step, plant species were identified, and their abundance was calculated. The results showed that managed bees visited 54 plant genera, seven of which were non-native plants. Additionally, more plant species and the highest abundance of pollen were observed at altitudes ranging from 1000 to 3000 m. Therefore, beekeepers set up their hives in this altitude range to obtain high-quality honey. In general, in this study, the results of melissopalynological analysis, involving the identification of plant genera and pollen counts, revealed that managed honey bees likely contributed less than 3% to the pollination of native plant species in Iran.

Large cities are typically characterized by a mosaic of green spaces that hold a remarkable variety of native and "exotic" plants. Urban beekeeping has gained increasing popularity. In order to characterize the "urban" in the honey, pollen diversity in 50 honey samples from 18 apiary locations in Vienna, Austria, was microscopically analyzed. The relative abundances of each plant taxon were determined by counting out 500 individual pollen grains per sample. In total, 202 taxa could be identified, with a median of 46 per sample. Taxa richness and diversity differed significantly across three years but did not so between urban and suburban apiaries. Despite trees comprising only roughly a quarter of all taxa, the amount of tree pollen was disproportionally high. The invasive Ailanthus altissima was predominant in 15 out of 50 samples. Other important non-native and/or ornamental trees included Sophora japonica, Gleditsia triacanthos, Castanea sativa, Koelreuteria paniculata, and Liriodendron tulipifera. Urban honey from Central Europe may typically comprise pollen taxa from Europe, East Asia, and North America alike. The results of this study show that intentionally planted, managed urban green spaces can support stable foraging resources for pollinators in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide insights into a novel honey screening and authentication approach. Chemometrics associated with a GC/MS instrumentation was applied to verify a total of 13 honey samples having different floral and geographical origin with an aim to detect buckwheat honey and discriminate it from honeys of other floral sources. Non-polar and semi-polar compounds were first extracted and then detected and semi-quantified employing a GC/MS device working in a full scan mode. Fingerprinting signals covering peaks that elute in the first 20 min, comprising 2000 scans of semi-polar compounds, were used as input datasets for unsupervised and supervised chemometric tools. This approach demonstrated excellent classification performances of honey samples according to the declared floral source, regardless of their geographical origin. The obtained results were compared with the outputs of a common melissopalynological procedure. Although exhibiting a high variability in the pollen content, samples declared as buckwheat honey demonstrated similar chemical profiles. The proposed non-targeted and semi-quantitative method showed to be rapid, unbiased, independent of tedious qualitative and quantitative determinations of eluting compounds, thus exhibiting a strong potential to be incorporated into data fusion procedures for honey authentication. Harmonising chemical methodologies with certain indications from pollen analysis to form core-data systems would undoubtedly improve the authentication protocols of honey floral sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is common practice for local stingless beekeepers in Southern Mexico to keep their colonies, comprising two or more species, in a single place, which is referred to as a meliponary. Little is known, however, about whether such a setup promotes competition for local resources among them. This is particularly relevant when several dozens of hives are reared in one meliponary. In this study we examined the plant species visited by two culturally and economically important stingless bee species commonly kept together, Scaptotrigona mexicana and Tetragonisca angustula, to know the magnitude of the competition between them. Honey samples from managed colonies located in three meliponaries were collected over 2018. Using standard melissopalynological techniques we analyzed them and identified the plant species the colonies collected food from. Overall, 84 pollen types were identified: 34 at the species level, 32 at the genus level and 18 at the family level. Samples of both bee species had high indexes of plant diversity; Compositae, Leguminosae and Euphorbiaceae were the most visited plant families. Niche overlap analysis revealed that, at certain times throughout the year, as much as 21% of plant species were shared between both bee species. The results of this study show low competition between S. mexicana and T. angustula. With these results we provide Mexican stingless beekeepers with valuable information that supports the continuation of ancient bee management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollination services are crucial for maintaining ecological stability and ensuring food security for humans. Managed honey bees, which are economically valuable and are experiencing population growth due to the increasing demand for their products, play a significant role in pollination. To produce high-quality honey, beekeepers often choose natural high meadows, characterized by high plant species richness, for their apiaries. This practice, in turn, may contribute to the pollination of native plants, as managed honey bees are likely to forage on diverse floral resources within these meadows In this study, we investigated the nutritional position of managed bees in the pollination of native plants in Iran using the melissopalynology method to determine the extent of their contribution to the pollination of native plants. Ninety-four honey samples were collected from beekeepers located in the natural pastures of two biodiversity hotspots in Iran (Zagros and Alborz). Then, plant pollens were extracted from the honey and photographed by scanning electron microscopy. In the next step, plant species were identified, and their abundance was calculated. The results showed that managed bees visited 54 plant genera, seven of which were non-native plants. Additionally, more plant species and the highest abundance of pollen were observed at altitudes ranging from 1000 to 3000 m. Therefore, beekeepers set up their hives in this altitude range to obtain high-quality honey. In general, in this study, the results of melissopalynological analysis, involving the identification of plant genera and pollen counts, revealed that managed honey bees likely contributed less than 3% to the pollination of native plant species in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The preservation of biological diversity is one of the main tasks of modern ecology. A decrease in the bee population for various reasons can negatively affect plant diversity and human economic activity. One of the most critical factors in maintaining the health of bee populations is the availability of food supplies. We compared the food preferences of bees in different ecological areas: an intensive farming area, a reserved area, and an urbanized area. The botanical composition of the honey was determined by the traditional method of melissopalynology, as well as using genetic analysis. It was found that, in the intensive farming area, the leading food for bees was monoculture plants, but proper apiary management made the diversification of the bees' diets possible. In the reserved area, the bee diet was supplemented mostly with sown plants. In urban areas, both garden and agricultural plants served as the primary food sources for bees. Bee foraging depends on the climatic and geographical conditions of the environment, as well as landscape and apiary management. Studying bee foraging is essential to understanding their use of food resources and plant preferences. This information can be used for effective measure management in order to preserve the number of bees and regulate plant pollination. The environment significantly impacts the lives of bees and their feeding. This study aimed to investigate bee foraging using melissopalynological analysis and DNA metabarcoding in intensive farming, reserved, and urbanized areas. The highest alpha diversity was observed in the reserved and intensive farming areas. The urbanized area had less diversity. In the intensive farming area, Sinapis, Helianthus, and Fagopyrum predominated; in the reserved area, Melilotus, Helianthus, and Brassica predominated. In the urbanized area, garden plants, namely radish (Raphanus sativus) and cucumber (Cucumis hystrix), and agricultural plants, namely soybean (Glycine max) and melon (Cucumis melo), were often found. The most significant agreement was between the rbcL and the melissopalynological analysis. The ITS2 revealed equal matches with both rbcL and melissopalynology, but this marker missed or underestimated some genera. Trifolium pretense and Brassica nigra were identified simultaneously by the melissopalinology method and two genetic markers in DNA metabarcoding. The species Convolvulus arvensis, Melilotus officinalis, Echium vulgare, Brassica rapa, Helianthus divaricatus, and Onobrychis viciifolia were found in all ecological areas. Imperfect databases impose some limits in the identification of some taxa using metabarcoding. The further research and expansion of plant databases is needed. Studying the food preferences of bees in different environmental conditions and landscapes is necessary to develop measures to preserve their populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was intended to determine the melissopalynological characteristics, LAB color, browning index, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, phenolic profile, and their correlations within Iranian honeys. Ten honey samples were collected from beekeepers in various floristic regions of Iran, along with two commercial multi-floral samples. To determine the antioxidant activity, three methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, β-carotene bleaching, and Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) were used. Phenolic compounds were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD). Pollen analysis revealed that bees primarily fed on the Fabaceae and Asteraceae families in the Iranian flora. The local samples were taxonomically categorized as multi-floral honey. Besides, the commercial samples demonstrated the lowest levels of total phenolics and relatively poor antioxidant activity across all three methods. Syringic acid and luteolin were the predominant phenolic compounds in all samples. A strong correlation (p < 0.01) was found between color, melanoidin content and antioxidant activity, while no significant correlation existed between phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Overall, the results confirmed that examined multi-floral honeys exhibited inferior antioxidant activity compared to studies conducted in other regions worldwide, possibly due to sugar-fed bees, insufficient levels of potent phenolic constituents, and post-harvest thermal treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee pollen is a complex compound formed by the honey bee through a mixture pollen, nectar, and bee saliva. It contains many elements that have importance for the human biochemical process. However, when the content of minerals in the pollen exceeds the biological limit, it can be toxic to health. This study aimed to assess and identify the presence of 16 essential (potassium [K], phosphorus [P], calcium [Ca], magnesium [Mg], sodium [Na], iron [Fe], silicon [Si], manganese [Mn], zinc [Zn], boron [B], copper [Cu], molybdenum [Mo], nickel [Ni], chromium [Cr], selenium [Se], and cobalt [Co]) and 16 nonessential elements (aluminum [Al], beryllium [Be], barium [Ba], arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], mercury [Hg], thallium [Tl], lithium [Li], antimony [Sb], vanadium [V], lead [Pb], rubidium [Rb], strontium [Sr], cesium [Cs], titanium [Ti], and uranium [U]) in bee pollen samples from different floral sources in Turkey, while also evaluating the noncarcinogenic risks associated with bee pollen. A melissopalynological investigation was conducted to identify the plant origins of the bee pollen samples. Thereafter, the levels of 32 elements in bee pollen samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Finally, calculations were performed to determine the recommended dietary allowance percentage (RDA%), estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI). The bee pollen samples had varying levels of macro, trace, and ultratrace elements, with K, P, Ca, Mg, and Na being the most abundant macro elements and Ti, Ba, Ni, Cr, and V being the least abundant ultratrace elements. The RDA% values for essential elements in bee pollen were found to vary, with Cu, Zn, Fe, and Cr having the highest levels. The results of the THQ and HI calculations demonstrated that consuming bee pollen at recommended rates did not pose a risk to the health of adults or children. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1575–1585. © 2023 SETAC Key Points: Bee pollen contains varying levels of macro, trace, and ultratrace elements.Bee pollen offers a natural source of essential nutrients for human health, including potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and molybdenum (Mo).Comparing estimated daily intake values for bee pollen elements with the reference dose (RfD) values suggested no health risk for both adults and children.A health risk assessment (target hazard quotient and hazard index) indicates bee pollen consumption is safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research article was to study the physicochemical characteristics of semi-wild Jara honey grown in Western Georgia. Jara honey is produced in the alpine and sub-alpine forest zone of high mountain Adjara, which is distinguished by its variety of honey plants. The physicochemical characteristics were examined concerning the Alimemtarius Code and EU regulations: moisture content, total carbohydrates, free acidity, pH, electrical conductivity, microelements (Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca), color, total phenols, total phenolic acids, total flavonoids, proline, diastase activity, proteins, and microscopic study of pollens. Using the UPLC-MSB method, grayanotoxin-III was identified in the semi-wild Jara honey samples. The findings demonstrated that the honey has significant concentrations of phenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. A directly proportional relationship was established between the quantitative content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of honey. This article is the first study of the characteristics of Jara honey produced in Western Georgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present the palynological composition of a single sample of the elusive purple honey collected in southern North Carolina and discuss how it fits within a nearby statewide South Carolina melissopalynological study. 302 samples were collected by nineteen beekeepers participating in this year-long project, submitting honey samples while honeybees were actively collecting nectar. The absence of pollen of Pueraria (kudzu) in the purple honey dismisses the often-suggested link between the unique tint of the purple honey and kudzu's purple pollen. A second hypothesis hinting that the tint could be linked to ripened berries is not reinforced by our investigation as pollen of Ericaceae (eg blueberries) and Rosaceae (eg blackberries) were not found in the purple honey sample but were commonly found in classic golden honey analyzed. The presence of Vitis pollen supports the possibility that bees forage on wild muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) which was available in the foraging area. This study cannot discredit the possibility that bees were foraging on berry juices or other sugar sources containing purple pigments because these sources contain little or no pollen. A third hypothesis proposes a link between purple honey and the sourwood tree, Oxydendrum arboretum. This hypothesis is supported by this investigation as the dominant pollen type recovered in the purple honey was sourwood, with 19% in relative abundance, a significant percentage for this plant. We suggest chemical analysis of purple honey samples be conducted to determine if berry juice or sourwood is the more likely source of the pigmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of honeybees to successfully grow, reproduce and build strong colonies and produce honey depends on their ability to obtain enough resources from flowering plants within appropriate seasons. However, little is known about seasonal variations and characterisation of honeybee pollen collected in Ethiopia. Therefore, to address this, a total of 2160 pollen samples were collected from five districts in different seasons for two years. The pollen samples were acetolysed and taxonomically identified. The pollen type was classified into frequency categories based on its relative abundance. Diversity indices and species richness were also calculated and compared between districts and seasons. The highest species richness was recorded in Guraferda district, while the lowest was recorded in Godare district. The spring season was considered the most suitable as it has the highest richness in all districts. The 'predominant' and 'secondary' pollen sources were identified from different plant genera in Asteraceae (62.23%), Mimosaceae (23.59%), Myrtaceae (43.76%), Poaceae (27.25%), Rubiaceae (36.64%), Combretaceae (28.14%), Euphorbiaceae (18.97%), Burseraceae (16.35%), Convolvulaceae (16.52%), Solanaceae (21.40%), Icacinaceae (17.86%), and Dichapetalaceae (16.35%). Terminalia spp. (Combretaceae) had the highest pollen counts and are common in the area. Other species with significant pollen counts included Acacia spp. (Mimosaceae), Croton macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae), Vernonia spp. (Asteraceae) and Iodes spp. (Icacinaceae). This study indicated that southwest Ethiopia has great potential for honey production and beekeeping business based on the study of pollen collected. Thus, these results help as a guide to the optimal use of flora resources by a honeybee in the areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authenticity of honey presents significant challenges to food quality control, necessitating continuous modernization and enhancement of analytical methodologies. This study aimed to characterize 24 honey samples collected from eight regions in northeastern Algeria by analysing their physico-chemical parameters and pollen profiles. The results revealed significant pollen diversity across all samples, predominantly monofloral honeys, particularly eucalyptus honey, along with Hedysarum coronarium L., Arbutus unedo L., Lavandula stoechas L., Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. and Citrus sp. Multifloral honeys contained pollen from diverse taxa including Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Hedysarum coronarium L., Echium plantagineum L., Lavandula stoechas L., Raphanus raphanistrum L. and Malva sylvestris L., common to northeastern Algeria's ecosystems. Most honey samples met international physico-chemical standards, indicating high quality. However, honey quality is predominantly influenced by its botanical origin, as demonstrated by principal component analysis, cluster analysis and co-inertia analysis, which grouped the samples into seven distinct physico-chemical units. Precise characterization is essential for enhancing local honey production by elucidating the complex relationships between pollen composition, botanical origin and physico-chemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is an important nectar source for honey production in some specific habitats as well as an important crop, so the definition of the features of this kind of honey is noteworthy. However, due to its rarity on the market, red raspberry honey is poorly characterized. The aim of this work was the phytochemical characterization of honey containing red raspberry from different geographical origins, through melissopalynological analyses concurrently with untargeted metabolomics achieved with different chromatographic techniques coupled to mass spectrometry: solid‐phase micro‐extraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME‐GC–MS) and high‐performance liquid chromatography/Orbitrap mass spectrometry (HPLC‐Orbitrap). RESULTS: Only 4 out of the 12 samples involved in the study contained raspberry pollen as dominant pollen, although these honeys did not group in the hierarchical cluster analysis nor in the classical multidimensional scaling analyses used for data evaluation. The first result was the detection of mislabelling in two samples, which contained raspberry pollen only as minor or important minor pollen. Of the 188 compounds identified by HPLC‐Orbitrap and of the 260 identified by SPME‐GC–MS, 87 and 31 compounds were present in all samples, respectively. The structurally related compounds nicotinaldehyde and nicotinamide, nicotinic acid and nicotinyl alcohol were present in 100% of the samples and correlated with R. idaeus pollen count (r > 0.60, Pearson's correlation analysis). CONCLUSION: This study reveals important aspects about the characterization of red raspberry honey and could give new insights on bee diet and preferences, since niacin compounds resulted interestingly to be related to the presence of red raspberry pollen. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey is a natural sweetener evaluated in accordance with Council Directive 2001/110/EC. 336 honeys from Czech hobby beekeepers were evaluated in this work. The honeys were classified by the beekeepers using questionnaires, and all samples were subjected to laboratory analysis using physico-chemical and melissopalynological methods. The honey samples were categorized by the beekeepers into blossom honeys (n=272), honeydew honeys (n=32), and blended honeys (n=32). Statistically significant differences between beekeepers' and analytical determinations of honey origin were confirmed. For blossom honey, incorrect classification was due to hight electric conductivity (39%), hight moisture (29%), low F+G (14%), and high sucrose content (0,4%). For honeydew honey, incorrect classification was mainly due to low electric conductivity (100%). For blended honey due to high electric conductivity (3.2%) and high acidity (3.2%). Our results show that although the beekeeper has a great deal of information at his disposal for the proper classification of honey, the determination of a wide range of honey contents and properties is always crucial. The cumulative assessment of blossom honeys also showed that there are more monofloral honeys in the country than beekeepers themselves identify. The 6.8% and 23.0% of blossom honey was in compliance with the definition for monofloral honeys for upper and lower limit according to Czech and German regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melissopalynology is an integral part of honey analysis and indicates the honey's botanical and geographical origin. Two preparation methods for light microscopy are commonly and interchangeably used in laboratories: acetolysis and hydration of honey samples. In this study, an extended comparison of the two methods was performed. Eight honey samples from eight locations in central Europe were analysed according to both standard procedures. We identified the pollen grains with 1000× magnification to the lowest possible taxonomic rank and counted out the relative abundances of each pollen type in the sample. In addition, potential other biases that might affect the results were investigated by analysing one honey sample multiple times with each method, consecutively. Across all honey samples, more pollen types were identified with the hydrated method (136) compared to the acetolysed method (95). For the hydrated method, less washing steps were necessary and a higher amount of pollen grains remained. No taxa-specific loss could be observed, apart from Myosotis sp., which was present in significantly lesser amounts in acetolysed compared to hydrated samples. This study shows a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods, which are also highlighted in a side-by-side comparison box. Both methods are equally suitable to perform melissopalynological analysis of the most common pollen types and pollen type combinations in honey. However, to identify the largest variety of pollen types in honey samples, the hydrated method is more efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bee honey (SBH) is gaining popularity for its unique flavour and potential nutritional and health benefits. Due to its low yield, SBH is usually more expensive than common honey. Moreover, SBH is also commonly sold as raw honey with higher moisture content, which could jeopardize its shelf life, quality, and safety if not stored properly. Therefore, a rapid method is required to characterize stingless bee honey for authentication and quality assurance. This study aimed to categorize SBH samples from Sarawak using two simple and rapid methods, namely the pollen or melissopalynological analysis and attenuated-total-reflectance Fourier-transform-infrared (ATR-FTIR). The melissopalynological analysis showed that all honey samples analyzed are multifloral honey. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on the ATR-FTIR spectra clearly illustrated a clear separation between normal honey and SBH; and between raw SBH and processed SBH. Overall, this study provides important insights into the characterization of SBH from Sarawak using two simple and rapid methods. Further research could expand on these findings and contribute to the development of the SBH industry in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mayan bee Melipona beecheii is one of the most important and widely cultivated stingless bees in Mexico. In order to document pollen and nectar resources for M. beecheii during the dry season, 25 pot-pollen and 25 pot-honey samples were collected from February to May 2021 at eight villages in Yucatan, Mexico. All samples were acetolysed, and 500 pollen grains were counted randomly for each sample. A total of 21 taxa belonging to eight botanical families were observed in the pot-pollen samples; in contrast, 32 pollen types from 16 botanical families were recorded in the pot-honey samples. According to PCA analyses, the pollen types that explained the maximum variance among the pot-pollen samples were Senna racemosa var. racemosa, Lonchocarpus punctatum, Cochlospermum vitifolium, Bursera schlechtendalii and B. simaruba, while S. racemosa var. racemosa, C. vitifolium, Alternanthera ramosissima, Psidium guajava, B. schlechtendalii, B. simaruba, L. punctatum, Mimosa bahamensis and Solanum americanum explained the greatest variance among the pot-honey samples. Our results confirm that M. beecheii displays polylectic foraging and targets for the secondary vegetation of tropical deciduous and tropical semideciduous forests. Diversity in the pot-pollen was found to be lower than that of the pot-honey samples. Since some pot-honey samples were overrepresented by the pollen grains of S. racemosa var. racemosa, PCA and cluster analysis grouped those pot-pollen and pot-honey samples together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beekeeping directly depends on the floral biodiversity available to honey bees. In tropical regions, where nectar and pollen resources are numerous, the botanical origin of some honey is still under discussion. A precise knowledge of plants foraged by honey bees is useful to understand and certify the botanical origin of honey. In this study, attention was paid to honey samples from the French Guiana Atlantic coast where beekeepers generally place their hives in four types of biotopes: seaside vegetation, mangrove, savannah, and secondary forest. Pollen analysis of 87 honey samples enabled the identification of major plants visited by Africanized honey bees during the dry season (approximately from July to January). Through melissopalynologic analysis, 51 pollen types were identified and classified according to their relative presence. Frequently observed pollens (with relative presence > 50%) in French Guiana kinds of honey were those from Mimosa pudica, Cocos sp., Rhyncospora sp., Avicennia germinans, Paspalum sp., Spermacoce verticillata, Tapirira guianensis, Cecropia sp., Myrtaceae sp., Mauritia flexuosa sp., Solanum sp., and Protium sp. In many honeys, only M. pudica was over-represented (relative frequency > 90%). Color and electrical conductivity in French Guiana honeys exhibit significant variations, with color ranging from 27 mm to 110 mm Pfund, and electrical conductivity ranging from 0.35 to 1.22 mS/cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the value of bee pollen has been recognised with the commercial value increasing. Determing the plant taxa that bees prefer as pollen sources and the floristic characteristics of the region is important for hive management and productivity. In this study, the botanical composition of bee pollen collected by Apis mellifera L. on the southern slopes of Uludağ (Bursa, Türkiye) was examined and the plant composition of the region, which is important for beekeeping, was evaluated. During the 2021 beekeeping period (between April and August), pollen loads were collected every two weeks. Colour differences of pollen loads were used to determine the botanical character of pollen samples. According to the data obtained from the analysis of pollen samples, 51 plant taxa belonging to 30 families visited by Apis mellifera L. were identified. Fabaceae (21.06%), Asteraceae (12.73%), Rosaceae (11.97%), and Brassicaceae (11.50%) were found to be the families containing the most preferred plants by honey bees. Herbaceous plants were visited by honey bees to collect pollen at the highest frequency of 77.60%, trees at 10.22%, and shrubs at 9.51% during the season. Tree forms were visited at a frequency of 5.25% in the second period of May, herbaceous forms were visited at a frequency of 20.50% in the first period of June, and shrub forms were visited at a frequency of 2.67% in the second period of June. These data demonstrate that the region has abundant resources for beekeeping, which contributes to the protection of the ecosystem and the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the distinctive ecosystem of the Saharan Desert in Algeria, the biodiversity of pollen in natural bee honey remains poorly understood. This study aimed to unravel the intricate relationship between pollen richness, beekeeping variables, and the diverse flora of this extremely arid environment. Honey samples collected from the Saharan Desert of Algeria underwent melissopalynological analysis. The study investigated the effects of four key variables—climate zones, honey extraction techniques, bee breeds, and beekeeping systems—on pollen diversity. Non-parametric diversity estimators were employed and compared among categories of the honey-related variables. The melissopalynological examination identified 89 species and 34 botanical families, with Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, and Fabaceae being the most prominent. Significant variation in pollen richness was observed across different factors. Notably, honey samples harvested manually exhibited greater pollen richness than those extracted using centrifugation. The influence of bee breeds and beekeeping systems on pollen composition was evident, with Saharan bee populations showing preferences for specific plant species. Furthermore, pollen diversity parameters indicated an underrepresentation of melliferous plant richness in the studied arid regions. The dominance of specific plant families highlights their significance in this harsh environment, where bees act as vital pollinators. The interplay between bee foraging preferences and the limited floral diversity of arid zones shapes pollen composition. The application of diversity estimators unveiled hidden richness, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive sampling. This study enriches our understanding of the complex dynamics between pollen diversity, bee behaviour, and the unique challenges of the Algerian Sahara. It underscores the pivotal role of bees in conserving native flora and emphasizes the importance of maintaining plant-pollinator interactions in extreme ecosystems. The melissopalynological analysis serves as a vital tool for assessing honey quality and enhancing our knowledge of melliferous plant diversity, contributing to improved beekeeping practices and biodiversity management. The findings hold implications for conservation efforts, sustainable beekeeping, and the ecological balance of arid regions. Further research remains essential to unveil the nuances of melliferous plant diversity in extreme environments and to predict, protect, and manage biodiversity effectively. [Display omitted] • Unveiling diverse pollen composition in Algerian desert honey highlights unique plant-pollinator dynamics. • Climate, extraction techniques, bee breeds, and systems impact pollen diversity in arid regions. • Non-parametric estimators reveal rare species, enhancing understanding of arid ecosystem diversity. • Saharan bee preferences underscore vital role in sustaining specialized melliferous plants in hot deserts. • Insights inform biodiversity management and sustainable beekeeping in challenging environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The identification of meliponicultural flora is fundamental for the preservation of bees, as well as enabling the development of pollinator management and reforestation programs. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the types of pollen found in the honey and pollen pots of the Melipona fasciculata bee in Arari, State of Maranhão, between August 2022 and July 2023. 40 types of pollen were identified, distributed among 18 botanical families, with Fabaceae standing out (46.15% in pollen pots and 37.86% in honey pots), Myrtaceae (11.53% in pollen and 13.51% in honey) and Rubiaceae (7.69% in pollen and 5.40% in honey). Sapindaceae, in the honey pots, accounted for 5.40%. The other families showed lower percentages, 3.84% in the pollen pots and 2.70% in the honey pots. In terms of similarity, two distinct groups were observed in both the pollen and honey pots. In the pollen pots, group A (May-June ~ 97%) and group B (Feb-Mar ~ 99%) stood out, while in the honey pots, group A (Mar-Apr ~ 98%) and group B (Jun-Jul-Sept ~ 98%) showed the highest percentages. These findings highlight the wide range of resources used by the M. fasciculata species, as well asits preference for Fabaceae and Myrtaceae, due to the diversity and availability of trophic resources. An understanding of the meliponicultural flora is essential to support effective conservation strategies, which aim not only to guarantee the survival of the bees, but also to ensure the continued production of honey, a resource of great importance to local communities.

Large cities are typically characterized by a mosaic of green spaces that hold a remarkable variety of native and “exotic” plants. Urban beekeeping has gained increasing popularity. In order to characterize the “urban” in the honey, pollen diversity in 50 honey samples from 18 apiary locations in Vienna, Austria, was microscopically analyzed. The relative abundances of each plant taxon were determined by counting out 500 individual pollen grains per sample. In total, 202 taxa could be identified, with a median of 46 per sample. Taxa richness and diversity differed significantly across three years but did not so between urban and suburban apiaries. Despite trees comprising only roughly a quarter of all taxa, the amount of tree pollen was disproportionally high. The invasive Ailanthus altissima was predominant in 15 out of 50 samples. Other important non-native and/or ornamental trees included Sophora japonica, Gleditsia triacanthos, Castanea sativa, Koelreuteria paniculata, and Liriodendron tulipifera. Urban honey from Central Europe may typically comprise pollen taxa from Europe, East Asia, and North America alike. The results of this study show that intentionally planted, managed urban green spaces can support stable foraging resources for pollinators in cities.

Abstract Background The mutualistic interaction between entomophilous plants and pollinators is fundamental to the structure of most terrestrial ecosystems. The sensitive nature of this relationship has been disrupted by anthropogenic modifications to natural landscapes, warranting development of new methods for exploring this trophic interaction. Characterizing the composition of pollen collected by pollinators, e.g. Apis mellifera, is a common means of exploring this relationship, but traditional methods of microscopic pollen assessment are laborious and limited in their scope. The development of pollen metabarcoding as a method of rapidly characterizing the abundance and diversity of pollen within mixed samples presents a new frontier for this type of work, but metabarcoding may have limitations, and validation is warranted before any suite of primers can be confidently used in a research program. We set out to evaluate the utility of an integrative approach, using a set of established primers (ITS2 and rbcL) versus melissopalynological analysis for characterizing 27 mixed-pollen samples from agricultural sites across Canada. Results Both individual markers performed well relative to melissopalynology at the family level with decreases in the strength of correlation and linear model fits at the genus level. Integrating data from both markers together via a multi-locus approach provided the best rank-based correlation between metagenetic and melissopalynological data at both the genus (ρ = 0.659; p

IntroductionApis dorsata, the common bee pollinator in tropical forests, is experiencing a population decrease due to several anthropogenic factors that lead to land cover changes and habitat loss. Land cover changes may alter their resource supply and foraging behavior. Our study aimed to determine foraging behavior and botanical origin using pollen of A. dorsata honey in two land cover types: plantationdominated landscape (PL) in Kampar (Riau) and forest-agriculture-dominated landscape (FL) in Kerinci (Jambi) Sumatra, Indonesia.MethodsWe observed two colonies of A. dorsata flight direction and flight activities in each land cover from 9 am–3pm. Honey was harvested from both nests of A. dorsata and the pollen in the honey was analyzed using acetolysis procedure. Vegetation analysis in both locations was conducted based on the flight directions of the giant honey bees.ResultsThe foraging data of A. dorsata showed a difference in the total number of bees between these two land cover types. The number of bees flying out and returning to the nest was higher in Kerinci than in Kampar, while high morning foraging activities were recorded in both land cover types. Furthermore, the foraging activity of the colonies in the PL landscape, i.e., flying out and returning to the nest with and without pollen, decreased at noon. The palynological results of the honey showed that in the PL landscape, pollen diversity was very low and mainly consisted of Elaeis gueneensis pollen (97%). Meanwhile, pollen types and concentrations were much higher in the FL than in the PL.DiscussionThis result suggests that A. dorsata exhibits a more varied foraging behavior in a diverse and heterogeneous landscape in Kerinci compared to a plantation-dominated habitat in Kampar.

Honeys from different regions of Algeria were analyzed to determine their pollen characteristics and physicochemical properties (humidity, pH, electrical conductivity, diastase content, color, phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity). The antioxidant activity was investigated using the free radical scavenging and Ferric reducing/antioxidant power assays. The melissopalynological analysis revealed 129 pollen types from 53 botanical families. The pollen types found as dominant were Coriandrum, Bupleurum, Brassica napus type, Hedysarum coronarium, Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus, Peganum harmala, Ziziphus lotus and Tamarix. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to analyze significant relationships between the physicochemical variables and the botanical origin of the honeys and establish groupings based on the similarities of their physicochemical and antioxidant properties. The results showed that Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus, Arbutus and honeydew honeys had a higher antioxidant contribution and higher phenolic and flavonoid contents than the rest of the honeys. In addition, the contributions of Mediterranean vegetation such as Myrtus and Phyllirea angustifolia were significant in this honey group. This paper demonstrates the diverse botanical variability for honey production in Algeria. However, there is a gap in its characterization based on its botanical origin. Therefore, these studies contribute positively to the needs of the beekeeping sector and the commercial valorization of the country's honey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plebeia mansita is a native stingless bee endemic to the Yungas whose populations are distributed in sectors above 1000 m a.s.l. Its honeys and other products are used by local residents for various purposes, from food to medicinal uses. With the purpose of understanding the botanical resources that contribute nectar and nesting to this species of bee in the town of Baritú (22°28′54.1ʺS, 64°45′39.4ʺW; at 1546 m a.s.l.), we analyzed 41 honey samples collected between September 2011 and September 2015 and recorded the main host trees. The samples were examined by palynological techniques using acetolysis, revealing the use of pollen types belonging to native plants, mainly of arboreal habit. Pollen richness per sample varied from 13 to 31 pollen types (mean = 22.7), where the family Asteraceae had the highest number of pollen types (n = 9) and nectar relevance, followed by Myrtaceae. Relevant pollen types correspond to Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Ilex argentina, Myrcianthes pseudomato and Allophylus edulis, followed by Sambucus peruviana, Parapiptadenia excelsa, Handroanthus lapacho, Myrsine coriacea and Zanthoxylum. Other recorded pollen types, with importance index values below 3.5% were Eupatorium, Dendrophorbium bomanii, Senecio, Pseudognaphalium and pollen of the families Asteraceae and Rhamnaceae. On the other hand, when evaluating nesting substrates we recorded the frequency of use of trunks of Ilex argentina as 55.9%, Parapiptadenia excelsa 10.3%, Myrcianthes pungens 7.4%, M. pseudomato 5.9%, Juglans australis 4.4%, Handroanthus lapacho 2.9%, and Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Myrsine coriacea, Ocotea porphyria, Viburnum seemenii, Myrcianthes mato, Roupala montana var. brasiliensis and Erithrina falcata with a value of 1.5% each. The results obtained provide valuable information on the plants that provide nectar and nesting sites for this stingless bee. This information should be considered for the preparation of conservation or production plans for their hives and pollination activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the agroecological implications of the Asian honey bee Apis cerana Fabricius in its vast native range including southeast India. To identify the foraging preferences of this generalist species, we collected 388 corbicular pollen samples over three years at Merveille, an eco-restoration site in Puducherry region, southeast India. Pollen was collected twice or thrice weekly from March 2018 to December 2021 in three locations within the site. We used canonical correspondence analysis to evaluate how average daily temperature, humidity and other meteorological changes over the years would influence A. cerana's diet. We show that (1) A. cerana has a large dietary niche (87 pollen taxa), but essentially feeds on Cocos nucifera (all year long) and on Borassus flabellifer, Turnera, Acacia, Mollugo/Trianthema, Leucaena/Prosopis, Portulaca, Poaceae, Syzygium-t, Dodonaea viscosa and Boerhavia seasonally; these were most frequently and abundantly foraged at all locations. (2) In all locations, bees preferentially feed on arboreal plants (44 taxa). (3) Bees' pollen diet varies in composition according to seasons. It is also least diverse in the hottest and driest months (March-May) with 2–4 taxa against 7–13 taxa in other months. (4) In 2021, which was more humid and slightly cooler than 2018 and 2019, bee diet included more pollen of Cyperaceae, Dodonaea viscosa, Liliaceae and fallow land weeds such as Boerhavia and Mimosa pudica. In conclusion, corbicular pollen loads of Apis cerana provide a long and continuous record of the bee's diet and its changes through time and space. The diet changed according to subtle changes in humidity and temperature as also drastic changes in rainfall at the study site, likely reflecting changes in the floral resource availability and the bees' preference. The sustained presence of this bee species within its native ranges can be a bellwether of pollinator friendly habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The stingless bee Melipona beecheii is experiencing colony decline due to floral resource scarcity caused by deforestation. A study was conducted to identify the floral resources used by M. beecheii using honey samples collected in four regions of the state of Campeche, Mexico. A melissopalynological analysis of sixteen collected honey samples identified 69 plant species from 24 families, and established that Fabaceae was the main plant family visited. Based on botanical origin, seven samples were classified as monofloral and nine as multifloral. The predominant species were Bursera simaruba, Lonchocarpus longistylus, Piscidia piscipula, Senna pallida and Senna racemosa. Shannon diversity index values (2.06–2.55) indicated moderate diversity in floral resources and Simpson diversity index values (0.82–0.89) indicated a moderate dominance of plant species in the studied regions. The results suggest M. beecheii is polylectic with some degree of specialization. The plant species identified as predominant in the studied honey samples are candidates for use in strategies intended to conserve the food resources used by M. beecheii on the Yucatan Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resource melliferous-polleniferous potential of Russian invasive plant species was studied on the basis of the results of melissopalynological (pollen) analysis. The study of the pollen composition of 2121 honey samples from 70 Russian regions made it possible to diagnose the pollen of 26 invasive plants in their composition, 13 of which were resource plants. In the European part of Russia, important melliferous plants were Robinia pseudoacacia L., Gleditsia triacanthos L., Amorpha fruticosa L., Solidago canadensis L., and Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle. Monofloral honey types from these invasive species were obtained mainly in the southern regions. In Siberia, Centaurea scabiosa L., C. jacea L., Echium vulgare L., and Conium maculatum L. were of resource importance. Monofloral greater and brown knapweed, viper's bugloss, and wild hemlock honey types were found mainly in the regions of Western Siberia. In the Far East, sources of monofloral honey were Nonea rossica Steven and Amoria hybrida (L.) C. Presl. The species Lupinus polyphyllus Lindll. and species of the genus Ambrosia were classified as important Russian polleniferous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetragonisca angustula is the most widespread stingless bee species, from Mexico to Northern Argentina. It is called Mariola in Costa Rica. Native plant species offering food resources and nesting sites to stingless bees are included in reforestation and conservation programs. In Costa Rica there are continuous initiatives on listing flora supporting meliponiculture. In this study, a sample of pot-honey was collected from sealed honey pots within nests of Tetragonisca angustula in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It was acetolyzed following standard methods and the pollen types were visualized by microscopic analysis at 200X magnification using a Nikon Eclipse Ni binocular scope. Electronic brightfield micro-photographs were obtained at 1000X magnification and pollen types were plated. Palynological descriptions were provided for major pollen grains. The botanical identifications of plant families and genera were established by comparison with pollen atlases and were validated consulting the 2022 Tropicos Missouri Botanical Garden database. Seventy-nine pollen types were recognized in the pollen spectrum, representing 36 families and 67 genera of flowering plants. Their habits were trees (51%), lianas/vine (11%), herbs (19%), herb/tree (5%), shrubs (5%), shrub/tree (1%) and not assigned (8%). This assemblage indicated the presence of lowland tropical forest elements, probably small relicts of secondary forest surrounding open and cultivated areas where Coffea arabica pollen dominated in the honey pollen spectrum with 54.3% of total counts, with secondary Paullinia sp. 8.7%, Vochysia sp. 4.8% and Cassia sp. 4.2% and 95% of pollen taxa present in < 3% relative frequency. Taxa offering only pollen (polleniferous) were considered honey contaminants (32%) not explaining the nectar botanical origin of honey.

The purpose of this research article was to study the physicochemical characteristics of semi-wild Jara honey grown in Western Georgia. Jara honey is produced in the alpine and sub-alpine forest zone of high mountain Adjara, which is distinguished by its variety of honey plants. The physicochemical characteristics were examined concerning the Alimemtarius Code and EU regulations: moisture content, total carbohydrates, free acidity, pH, electrical conductivity, microelements (Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca), color, total phenols, total phenolic acids, total flavonoids, proline, diastase activity, proteins, and microscopic study of pollens. Using the UPLC-MSB method, grayanotoxin-III was identified in the semi-wild Jara honey samples. The findings demonstrated that the honey has significant concentrations of phenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. A directly proportional relationship was established between the quantitative content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of honey. This article is the first study of the characteristics of Jara honey produced in Western Georgia.

Background: The mutualistic interaction between entomophilous plants and pollinators is fundamental to the structure of most terrestrial ecosystems. The sensitive nature of this relationship has been disrupted by anthropogenic modifications to natural landscapes, warranting development of new methods for exploring this trophic interaction. Characterizing the composition of pollen collected by pollinators, e.g. Apis mellifera, is a common means of exploring this relationship, but traditional methods of microscopic pollen assessment are laborious and limited in their scope. The development of pollen metabarcoding as a method of rapidly characterizing the abundance and diversity of pollen within mixed samples presents a new frontier for this type of work, but metabarcoding may have limitations, and validation is warranted before any suite of primers can be confidently used in a research program. We set out to evaluate the utility of an integrative approach, using a set of established primers (ITS2 and rbcL) versus melissopalynological analysis for characterizing 27 mixed-pollen samples from agricultural sites across Canada. Results: Both individual markers performed well relative to melissopalynology at the family level with decreases in the strength of correlation and linear model fits at the genus level. Integrating data from both markers together via a multi-locus approach provided the best rank-based correlation between metagenetic and melissopalynological data at both the genus (ρ = 0.659; p < 0.001) and family level (ρ = 0.830; p < 0.001). Species accumulation curves indicated that, after controlling for sampling effort, melissopalynological characterization provides similar or higher species richness estimates than either marker. The higher number of plant species discovered via the metabarcoding approach simply reflects the vastly greater sampling effort in comparison to melissopalynology. Conclusions: Pollen metabarcoding performed well at characterizing the composition of mixed pollen samples relative to a traditional melissopalynological approach. Limitations to the quantitative application of this method can be addressed by adopting a multi-locus approach that integrates information from multiple markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apiculture is an important economic activity in Mexico, and deforestation, extensive agriculture, and other types of land use threaten sustainable honey production. This study aimed to determine the floral resources used by Apis mellifera for honey production, in vegetation types with different disturbance degrees in Southern Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo state. A total of 24 honey samples, from eight apiaries, were collected during the months of the highest honey production in the region (February to May 2022). Standard acetolysis technique was applied for melissopalynological analysis. A total of 68 pollen types were identified. Our results suggest that the disturbance degree of the vegetation does not affect the pollen diversity and honey composition, mainly because the available floral resources remain similar. Viguiera dentata (Asteraceae) was the most abundant (>45%) herbaceous species in honey samples of February and March. Piscidia piscipula (Fabaceae) and Haematoxylum campechianum (Fabaceae) in samples of March (16%-45%), and P. piscipula in April (>45%). Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae), Bursera simaruba (Burseraceae), and Metopium brownie (Anacardiaceae) were the most abundant (16%-45%) arboreal species found in samples of May. Although our results can be used to develop conservation strategies looking for sustainable honey production, further studies should focus on vegetation with a better conservation state, during longer time periods, and during periods with fewer resources available for honeybees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The botanical origin and seasonal variation of pollen collected by Tetragonisca weyrauchi were studied by means of palynology (pollen identification). The study was carried out between August 2016 and July 2017 with a hive introduced in a house garden in an urban area (09° 56′ 38.7″ S; 67° 52′ 42.9″ W) near the campus of the Federal University of Acre (UFAC). In total, we identified 87 pollen types from 31 botanical families, with the most representative ones being: Alismataceae, Amaranthaceae, Arecaceae, Boraginaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and Urticaceae, all displaying percentages above 10%. The pollen types Alternanthera (Amaranthaceae), Cecropia (Urticaceae) and Cordia sellowiana (Boraginaceae) obtained relative abundances above 90% and are therefore considered events of temporary specialization. The lowest diversity and evenness values were found for July (H′ = 0.127; J′ = 0.071) and August (H′ = 0.070; J′ = 0.043), and the highest values for October (H′ = 2.025; J′ = 0.715) and April (H′ = 1.941; J′ = 0.611), thus not suggesting relationships with the rainy (November–April) or dry (May–October) periods. Furthermore, there was no preference by the bees for morphological characteristics of the pollen such as size, exine texture or aperture number. However, the most representative grains are among the small and medium size, reinforcing the hypothesis that this bee species prefers small flowers available in dense inflorescences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanity depends on the processes and resources of natural ecosystems, such as natural grassland fields and forests. These ecosystems depend on pollinators, especially bees, to ensure crossbreeding and plant productivity. Faced with deforestation and the fragmentation of forest remnants, meliponiculture plays an important role in biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and generating income for family farmers. Little is known about the effect of landscape on the productivity of native tiúba bees (Melipona fasciculata Smith, 1854) in the Baixada Maranhense Environmental Protection Area (APA) in the Brazilian Amazon. This study aimed to evaluate the landscape effect on M. fasciculata honey productivity in APA. We selected 34 stingless beekeepers, mapped and classified landscapes within a 2,000 m radius around the meliponaries, measured honey productivity, and identified the pollen types. We analyzed honey productivity as a function of landscapes and floral origin. Our results show that honeys from forest landscapes have greater richness and abundance of species, indicating more pollination ecosystem services in these landscapes, but have lower honey productivity. The highest productivity occurs in landscapes with a greater percentage of natural grassland fields and a composition dominated by shrubs. Melissopalynology and geographical information from landscape mapping provided ecological dimensioning of M. fasciculata honey productivity in the APA, which can guide conservation, management, and restoration actions in this region, and enhance the recognition of environmental services provided by stingless beekeepers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyfloral honey samples from Bulgaria were subject to parallel analyses of their botanical origin and composition using traditional melissopalynology, DNAbarcoding based on the plastid rbcL gene and NMR analysis. The obtained datasets were compared with each other to evaluate the information capacity of the applied experimental methods. The results from the melissopalynological and DNA-barcoding studies demonstrated a significantly higher resolution of the latter, revealing the presence of pollen from a total of 17 plant families, 21 plant genera and 5 plant species in comparison to pollen from only 7 plant families, 3 plant genera and 4 plant species identified by melissopalynology. The higher resolution of DNA barcoding allows a more detailed characterisation of the diet and foraging preferences of honey bees, including foraging on plant species growing in lower abundance in the area. The comparison of the quantitative data on floral honey composition for several plant genera and species reveals significant differences between the relative abundance of the pollen grains estimated by melissopalynological analysis and the relative abundance of rbcL clones in rbcL libraries determined after DNA barcoding. All three applied methods confirm the polyfloral botanical origin of the analysed samples and support routine NMR use for the assessment of the floral origin of honey.

The quantitative and qualitative analysis of honey components is the object of this study. These analyses are considered a physicochemical and melissopalynological tool that allows the study of some characteristics of honey. The analysis of ten (10) samples of Algerian honey is carried out to determine the pH, water content, electrical conductivity, ash content, acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, proteins, and sugar content. According to the obtained results, the physico-chemical parameters of the studied honeys comply with the European and international standards. The pollen spectrum indicated the presence of 23 plant families, mainly Fabaceae, encompassing a total of 65 honey species visited by foragers. Of the 10 honeys sampled and analyzed, six were monofloral, with the remainder showing no apparent dominance of any honey type. The most frequent plant species were eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.), Italian sainfoin (Hedysarum coronarium), and chickweed (Lathyrus sp.). Furthermore, the results obtained indicate that all honey (monofloral and polyfloral) showed a high degree of variability in the number of pollen grains.

In melissopalynological studies, the investigation of pollen composition in honey samples reveals the geographical and botanical origin of the samples and links them to the regional climatic conditions. Honeybees (Apis mellifera), collect pollen and nectar for their nutritional requirements based on the seasonal availability of surrounding flora. In this study, pollen content in honey was temporarily investigated for seasonal differences of the bee foraged plants. A melissopalynological investigation was applied to honey samples harvested from 13 beehives located in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Multivariate statistics (NMDS and Rarefaction curves) were used to show spatial and temporal clustering of the samples. The melissopalynological data were then compared to the species' flowering season and a botanical survey of the surrounding area. The turnover in pollen composition for different seasons signifies seasonal variation in pollen types. For example, during summer, bees foraged from fewer floral sources. The highest species richness was observed during winter, suggesting a higher dependence on a diversity of floral resources during the driest months. Various seasonal pollen spectra were characterised by a pollen turnover from numerous species, including Combretum type, Sclerocarya birrea, Poaceae, Harpephyllum caffrum and Lannea schweinfurthii but also neophytes such as Medicago sativa. Therefore, honey samples from the Lowveld region in South Africa reflected the seasonal patterns of the surrounding flora although pollen from taxa such as Combretum spp. (average 56%) and Sclerocarya birrea (average 14%) were continuously sought after by bees throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manuka honey plays a significant role in modern medical applications as an antibacterial, antiviral, and antibiotic agent. However, although the importance of manuka honey is well documented in the literature, information regarding its physicochemical characteristics remains limited. Moreover, so far, only a few papers address this issue in conjunction with the examination of the pollen composition of manuka honey samples. Therefore, in this study, two parameters crucial for honey quality control—the diastase number (DN) and the hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content—as well as the melissopalynological analysis of manuka honey, were examined. The research found a large variation in the percentage of Leptospermum scoparium pollen in honeys labeled and sold as manuka honeys. Furthermore, a significant proportion of these honeys was characterized by a low DN. However, since low diastase activity was not associated with low HMF content, manuka honey should not be considered as a honey with naturally low enzymatic activity. Overall, the DN and HMF content results indicate that the quality of commercially available manuka honey is questionable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Tilia, commonly known as linden, basswood (North America) or lime tree (Eurasia), was investigated as a resource for honey. This article describes the results of melissopalynological analysis of the role of lime tree (Tilia spp.) in honey from Eurasia. From a review of published palynological characteristics and using independently discovered data from lime tree honey in Europe and Asia, five resource zones were identified where lime tree honey is produced. The lowest levels of Tilia pollen grains (0–44%) are typical for samples of lime honey from western and southern Europe (henceforth resource zone 1, RZ 1). In central European countries (RZ 2), honey with similar characteristics was reported (10–41% of Tilia pollen). The content of Tilia pollen grains in monofloral linden honeys from RZ 3, which includes the territory of south-eastern Europe, the south of central and eastern Europe, and the southern part of European Russia, was higher than in the previous zones (25–88%). Even higher rates (30–99%) were typical for linden honey samples extracted from the north of eastern Europe and European Russia (RZ 4). The regions in the Russian Far East (Primorye Krai) and the northeast China have been allocated to RZ 5. Here, we noted lime honey samples had the highest proportion of Tilia pollen (50–99%). An analysis of the features of the pollen spectra of all Eurasian linden honeys allowed the zones to be combined and be identified into two major groups: southern and northern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free access to scientific data, knowledge and technology transfer has become more and more important in science, at universities, governmental institutes, and in our society in general. In an interdisciplinary project initialised by palynologists at the University of Vienna and the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd (AGES), the world's most comprehensive database PalDat has been expanded by more than 2000 datasets from the PONET database, comprising high resolution light microscopy (LM) micrographs of hydrated pollen. The main aim of this fusion of knowledge was to share digital data in a secure way and to ensure users of various disciplines free access to reliable pollen data. The project was finally completed in 2021. In the course of the expansion, additional data entry fields regarding LM description have been added, and new features, such as a search function for orders and families, have been implemented in the new version 3.4 of PalDat. A global online submission and publication tool for palynological data to PalDat, including review and editorial process, assures easy knowledge transfer and facilitates a continually increasing number of datasets and taxa contributed from scientists all over the world. The free accessible online pollen database PalDat is maintained by members of the Division of Structural and Functional Botany (University of Vienna). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetragonisca angustula is the most widespread stingless bee species, from Mexico to Northern Argentina. It is called Mariola in Costa Rica. Native plant species offering food resources and nesting sites to stingless bees are included in reforestation and conservation programs. In Costa Rica there are continuous initiatives on listing flora supporting meliponiculture. In this study, a sample of pot-honey was collected from sealed honey pots within nests of Tetragonisca angustula in Alajuela, Costa Rica. It was acetolyzed following standard methods and the pollen types were visualized by microscopic analysis at 200X magnification using a Nikon Eclipse Ni binocular scope. Electronic brightfield micro-photographs were obtained at 1000X magnification and pollen types were plated. Palynological descriptions were provided for major pollen grains. The botanical identifications of plant families and genera were established by comparison with pollen atlases and were validated consulting the 2022 Tropicos Missouri Botanical Garden database. Seventy-nine pollen types were recognized in the pollen spectrum, representing 36 families and 67 genera of flowering plants. Their habits were trees (51%), lianas/vine (11%), herbs (19%), herb/tree (5%), shrubs (5%), shrub/tree (1%) and not assigned (8%). This assemblage indicated the presence of lowland tropical forest elements, probably small relicts of secondary forest surrounding open and cultivated areas where Coffea arabica pollen dominated in the honey pollen spectrum with 54.3% of total counts, with secondary Paullinia sp. 8.7%, Vochysia sp. 4.8% and Cassia sp. 4.2% and 95% of pollen taxa present in <3% relative frequency. Taxa offering only pollen (polleniferous) were considered honey contaminants (32%) not explaining the nectar botanical origin of honey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant diversity present in Andean ecosystems is fundamental for the preservation of pollinator species, particularly for bees, due to their direct dependence on the supply of pollen and nectar. Palynology is an important tool in studying the interactions between bees and the flora of a region. This work aimed to determine the botanical composition of bee pollen harvested by Apis mellifera L. in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense over an altitudinal gradient to establish pollen markers that allow the geographic differentiation of the origin of bee products from the Eastern Andes of Colombia. Bee pollen samples were gathered in 2015 during both dry and rainy periods. The samples were acetolyzed and analyzed using a minimum count of 500 pollen grains per sample. Diversity and evenness were analyzed using the Shannon-Wiener and Pielou indexes respectively. Eighty-nine pollen types belonging to 43 botanical families were identified. The Asteraceae family had the greatest pollen richness (23 types), followed by Leguminosae (eight types). Statistical significant difference between climatic periods was revealed. The rainy period had higher richness and more exclusive pollen types than the dry period, while lower altitudinal zones had greater diversity and evenness than higher zones. The results demonstrate the importance of both native and introduced species as nutritional sources in the diet of honey bees and allow the establishment of pollen types that act as markers useful for recognizing the origin of apicultural products produced in the Eastern Andes of Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]