COMPARISON OF HONEY, POLLEN AND PROPOLIS AMOUNTS AND HONEY QUALITY OBTAINED FROM BEE PASTURE AND HIGHLAND

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the honey, pollen and propolis amounts and honey qualities obtained from the bee pasture established in Bingöl University between the years 2021-2022 and highland and to compare the bee pasture and the highland in terms of these characteristics. 10 beehives were used in the study. Five beehives were left in the bee pasture, and 5 of them were taken to the highland for comparison. The quantities of honey, pollen, and propolis per hive and the moisture, diastase, HMF, commercial glucose, C13 sugar, C4 sugar, and the difference between raw protein in honey and delta C13 sugar of honeys were determined for both locations. These quality parameters obtained were evaluated according to the Turkish Food Codex Honey Communiqué. As a result of the research, it was determined that there was no statistical difference between the amounts of pollen and propolis obtained from the bee pasture and the highland, and the amount of honey obtained from the highland was higher than the bee pasture. In addition, it has been determined that the honey obtained from both bee pasture and highland is at the "appropriate" level in terms of the limit values determined by the Turkish Food Codex Honey Communiqué in terms of quality criteria. In the light of these data, it has been understood that although the honey yield from bee pasture is low, it is sustainable and can be an alternative to migratory or highland beekeeping.