Comparative evaluation of honey content in four Apis species: A regional study in Visnagar, Mehsana, U.G, India

Honey samples from Apis dorsata, A. cerena, A. mellifera and A. florea were obtained by chopping a piece of honey comb straight from the colonies on the same day and from the same floristic region of Visnagar, Mehsana district of Gujarat. A physico-chemical examination was conducted on the honey samples. There were substantial differences in moisture content; electrical conductivity (EC) and proline content values among all honey groups. For each species, three samples were collected in total for analysis (n=3). Apis dorsata, A. cerena, A. mellifera, and A. florea had the following analytical values: 21.51%, 16.99%, 17.14% and 13.70% moisture content; 0.61, 0.65, 0.32 and 0.71 EC (mS/cm) and 875.82, 323.21, 610.19 and 402.72 ppm proline (mg/kg). However, A. dorsata had a substantially higher fructose concentration than A. cerena and A. mellifera, and A. florea honeys had a lower fructose level. Likewise, the amount of sucrose was highest in A. dorsata honey and much lower in A. florea honey. Samples of A. mellifera honey showed the highest value of reducing sugars (69.89±0.4 g/100 g), while A. dorsata honey showed the lowest value (61.94±0.64 g/100 g). It is note-worthy that quality of honey differed according to its botanical and geographic origins, handling, storage, and transit conditions.