Melissopalynological Evaluation of Honey from Ganja Gazakh Region of Azerbaijan

This study provides a comprehensive melissopalynological analysis of honey samples from the Ganja Gazakh region of Azerbaijan, offering valuable insights into the diversity and abundance of plant species visited by honey bees in the area. A total of 23 honey samples were examined using light microscopy to identify and quantify the pollen types and their frequencies. The results revealed that the most abundant plant families in the honey samples were Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. This finding suggests that these plant families are important sources of nectar and pollen for honey bees. Notably, the Fabaceae family was found to be the most prevalent, with pollen grains present in all 23 honey samples, ranging from 11.5% to 66% in frequency. Within the Fabaceae family, Glycyrrhiza glabra was the most dominant species, appearing in 16 samples. Other Fabaceae taxa, including Astragalus spp., Lotus spp., Medicago spp., Melilotus spp., Onobrychis spp., Robinia spp., Trifolium spp., and Vicia spp. were also identified at varying frequencies. These findings highlight the melliferous potential of the native flora in the Ganja Gazakh region and provide valuable information for consumers, beekeepers, and regulatory bodies to ensure the authenticity and traceability of the region's honey. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the botanical origins of honey and the foraging preferences of honey bees in different geographical areas.