Analysis of pollen in "handmade" honey samples from the central microregion of Romania by scanning electron microscopy

Honey is considered a natural food supplement due to its valuable constituents. The composition and nutritional quality of honey depend on environmental conditions, plant source, geographic location, and bee species. Melissopalynological analyses examine pollen grains and their frequency in studied samples to determine the botanical origin of the honey. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can provide much more information, especially regarding pollen wall decoration, than the optical microscope. The purpose of this paper is to identify the plant species whose pollen is found in the analysed honey samples. Polyfloral honey, lime honey and rape honey samples from the central microregion of Romania were analysed. Samples were prepared by acetolysis. Titanium spray coating was obtained with a standard coating system. Pollen analysis was performed with a JSM-5200 type (JEOL) scanning electron microscope. Reference collections and databases (Illustrated pollen terminology 2020, Palynological database) were used to identify the samples. In linden honey, besides Tilia cordata, pollen of Atriplex patula, Brassica napus, Helianthus tuberosus, Rosa gallica, Prunus spinosa, P. avium, Anemone nemorosa, Plantago lanceolata, Chenopodium hybridum, Galium verum, Malva moschata, and Leontodon hispidus species were identified. In rapeseed honey pollen of the following species was detected: Prunus padus, P. spinosa, P. avium, P. domestica, Brassica napus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and Anemone nemorosa. In the polyfloral honey from the alpine area, the pollen of Mentha arvensis, Rosa gallica, Cruciata laevipes, Malus sylvestris, and Alyssum murale was identified. In polyfloral honey from the lower region pollen from numerous species was identified ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Pollen types identified in polyfloral honey. Abutilon theophrasti (a), Falcaria vulgaris (b), Ligustrum vulgare (c), Plantago argentea (d), Alnus glutinosa (e), Prunus spinosa (f), Chichorium intybus (g), Mentha arvensis (h), Arcitum lappa (i).

Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023