Botanical origin of West Pomeranian Honeys

Abstract

Melisopalinological studies were carried out on 24 samples of honeys from bee-keepers affiliated in the Regional Association of Beekeepers in Szczecin. Honeys were obtained in 2014. Microscopic slides were prepared by performing a smear of honey on a slide. To close the slides a glycerol-gelatine adhesive with alkaline fuchsin was used. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of pollen contained in 1 g of honey was performed.More than 90 000 pollen grains were identified in the examined samples of honeys: 47 of entomophilous taxa and a few of anemophilous taxa. Among the nectariferous plant pollen, the highest pollen frequency (above 50%) has been estimated for Brassicaceae (with Brassica napus), calluna vulgaris, Asteraceae (with Centaurea sp.).In individual honey samples, from 5 up to 22 taxa of nectariferous plants were noted. One gram of honey contained 4196 pollen grains on average. Based on the microscopic analysis results, 11 multifloral and 11 monofloral honeys were distinguished, the latter of which containing 4 honeys not covered by Polish Standard. One sample had an especially low content of pollen. One sample was not a bee honey.

Keywords

• melisopalinology, pollen analysis, allergy