Melissopalynological determination of the Pollen density, Botanical origin and Ogiek Honey types in Eastern Mau Forest, Kenya

Abstract

The current international market demands for the set up of honey quality control protocols according to the botanical origin based on pollen content. The objective of the present study was to determine the pollen density, honey types, and botanical origin of honey from the Eastern Mau Ogiek beekeepers as a reference to commercial strategies for sellers and buyers. 27 honey

Melissopalynological investigations of seasonal honey samples from the Greater Kruger National Park, Savanna biome of South Africa

“…The second richest species diversity region is the Mixed Bushveld bioregion within the Savanna biome, following the Fynbos biome which has the highest species diversity in the country (Johannsmeier 2016). Surprisingly, despite the vast potential of nectar and pollen-producing plants as indicated by the rich biodiversity of the Savanna biome (Johannsmeier 2016; Guelpa et al 2017), South Africa's commercial honey production is negligible compared to other African countries such as Kenya and Tanzania (Guelpa et al 2017) while the country's honey investigation information is scarce compared to Ghana and Niger (Onyango 2009; Esterhuzen 2020.…”

“…The second richest species diversity region is the Mixed Bushveld bioregion within the Savanna biome, following the Fynbos biome which has the highest species diversity in the country (Johannsmeier 2016). Surprisingly, despite the vast potential of nectar and pollenproducing plants as indicated by the rich biodiversity of the Savanna biome (Johannsmeier 2016;Guelpa et al 2017), South Africa's commercial honey production is negligible compared to other African countries such as Kenya and Tanzania (Guelpa et al 2017) while the country's honey investigation information is scarce compared to Ghana and Niger (Onyango 2009;Esterhuzen 2020. Understanding the foraging behaviour of honeybees in distinct ecosystems such as the Savanna biome, is crucial and can be done by the evaluation of honey using melissopalynology. Honeybees are generalist pollinators, although different colonies can have specific plant preferences Garibaldi et al 2013;Hausmann et al 2016).…”