The Chemical Composition of Honey Produced byApis Dorsata

SummaryA study was made of the chemical composition of seven samples of Apis dorsata honey and of one composite sample of Apis mellifera honey, all collected in the Philippines.Carbohydrate made up 90–98% of the total solids of A. dorsata honey; monosaccharides were the predominant sugars, and there was more D-fructose but less D-glucose than in A. mellifera honeys. Melezitose was present in only one sample. In general, A. dorsata honey contained less polysaccharides than A. mellifera honey; kojibiose was present, and possibly trehalose.All honeys were acid. No correlation was found between pH and ash content, and no difference between the ash content of A. dorsata honey (0·17%) and A. mellifera honey. A. dorsata honey contained as much as three times as much nitrogen as A. mellifera honey, but less lactone.