Pollen Analysis and Physicochemical Characterization of Honey Samples from Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Bees (Apis mellifera var. adansonii) produce honey, a naturally occurring sweet viscid liquid, from blossom nectar and it has both medicinal and antibacterial properties. Pollen, physical and chemical analyses are used to ascertain floral sources, the purity of honey, its botanical, ecological, and geographic provenance, the main honey-producing season, and the processing facilities that honeybees most frequently visit while gathering pollen and nectar. Four samples of honey were acquired from the Owo Local Government Area in Ondo State, Nigeria, and treated to the aforementioned evaluation. Out of 36 pollen types that originated from 25 plant families, one (1) was identified to family level, twenty-six (26) to generic level, eight (8) to species level, and one (1) was unidentified. The described species come from numerous genera of trees, shrubs, grass, and herbs. Ilale, Isuada, Ipeme, and Alaguntan each had pollen grain counts of 61, 169, 172, and 236, respectively. Alaguntan provided the richest sample, with two hundred and thirty-six pollen counts. Ipeme, Isuada, and Ilale samples were next, with one hundred and seventy-two, one hundred and sixty-nine, and sixty-one pollen counts, respectively. In varying amounts, the predominant pollen types include those of Elaeis guineensis followed by Poaceae, Ageratum conyzoides, Hymenocardia acida, Phyllanthus sp., Tridax procumbens, Coffea sp., Talinum triangulare, Morellia senegalensis, Solanum melongena, and Mimosa pudica. The honey samples were all multi-floral. To confirm the safety of the analysed samples of honey, the investigation used pollen densities and quantities. Tests for protein, electrical conductivity, moisture content, ash content, pH level, and specific gravity were all part of the characterization studies. Due to the impact on texture and stability, which are crucial during honey extraction and storage, all of the results for the samples were found to meet the specifications for honey laid out by international regulatory agencies.