Melissopalynology Characterization of Pakistani Honey

The aim of the study was to add latest scientific information regarding bee flora through pollen analysis available for honeybees in different districts of Punjab province, Pakistan. A total of 50 honey samples, natural (n=32) and branded (n=18) were collected and examined as per the method recommended by International Honey Commission. Natural honey samples were collected from beekeepers. Pollens of families Poacea (26.5%), Azadirachta spp. (22%), Citrus spp. (17.45%), Pisum spp. (16.41%), Ziziphus spp. (13.99%), Prosopis spp. (13.13%), Brassica spp. (8.57%), Malvacea (8.08%), Syzygium spp. (7.29%), Cassia spp. (6.2%), Acacia spp. (5.17%) and Eucalyptus spp. (4.35%) were common in both branded and fresh honeys. Whereas Morus spp. (8.5%), Moringa spp. (4.46%), Psidium spp. (4.23%), Bombax spp. (1.9%), Mangifera spp. (1.9%) were found in fresh honeys only. Similarly, four different types of Pollens (Melilotus spp. (8.6%), Alfa spp. (6.4%), Benincasa spp. (6.4%) and Halianthus spp. (4.3%)) were detected exclusively in various branded honeys Muqeet (n=4), Sary (n=2), Swat honey, Marhaba (n=3), Youngs (Beehive), Ubqari, Salman (Pak honey) Al-Shifa, Ponam, Langanase and Aftab Qarshi. There was a correlation (r=0.24) between pollens of same taxa and families in branded and fresh honeys. High quality pictures were taken by camera fitted on light microscope.