Melissopalynological and Physicochemical Analysis of Selected Honey Samples from Romania, Spain, Malaysia, and New Zealand

Melissopalynological analysis (the microscopic examination of pollen in honey) provides valuable information regarding both the geographic and botanical origins of honey. This study aims to verify the authenticity of different types of honey by assessing their claimed floral sources and, indirectly, locations. Twelve samples of various botanical origins were collected: from Romania (linden, black locust, rapeseed, hawthorn, mint, thyme, multifloral, pasture, manna), New Zealand (Manuka honey), Spain (chestnut honey), and Malaysia (Tualang honey). In the study, 16 botanical families were identified across the 12 types of honey analyzed. The frequency of botanical families shows that Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Brassicaceae are the most widespread. A moderate frequency was observed for Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, and Poaceae. Other families had a lower distribution, such as Myrtaceae and Ericaceae. Rapeseed honey was the most abundant monofloral honey type based on species level pollen dominance (96.86%), followed by chestnut honey (94.17%) and linden honey (84.45%). Meanwhile, thyme honey (52.84%) and mint honey (51.1%) had a specific pollen abundance just over 50% at the family level (Lamiaceae).