Pollen Contents Of Commercial Honeys Of Opi, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pollen analyses of seven honey samples from Opi-Nsukka Mini market were evaluated for their pollen composition. The results yielded a total of 77 plants belonging to 40 families of flowering plants. Thirty-three plants were identified to the generic level, while thirty-two plants were identified to the specific levels. The pollen types belonging to members of the plant families of Poaceae, Agavaceae and Combretaceae/ Melastomataceae were classified only to their respective source plant families. The composition of the contributing plant species shows that the honey samples were multifloral honeys derived from a wide range of nectar and pollen sources. Also, pollen types of trees and shrubs of entomophilous plants were predominant in the samples. The qualitative and quantitative composition of pollen grains in the samples were very low in some of the honey samples indicating that some of the honey samples were diluted (adulterated) with non-floral substance (syrup). Some important honey plants identified which are characteristic of Nsukka vegetation and also reflecting common pollen load and nectar sources include Lannea microcarpa, Senna spp, Daniellia oliveri, Parkia biglobosa, Hymenocardia acida, Lophira lanceolata, Syzygium guineense, Parinari spp, Elaeis guineensis, Alchornea cordifolia and members of Combretaceae/Melastomataceae.

Keywords: Adulteration, Entomophilous Plants, Multifloral Honey, Pollen.

Plant Product Research Journal Vol. 11 2007: pp. 5-11