Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 3, May-june 2000
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|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 367 - 375 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000128 | |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000128
Apidologie 31 (2000) 367-375
Physico-chemical characteristics of Apis dorsata, A. cerana and A. mellifera honey from Chitwan district, central Nepal
Surendra Rai Joshia - Hermann Pechhackera - Alfons Willamb - Werner von der Ohec
aInstitut für Bienenkunde, A 3293, Lunz-am-See, Austria
bUniversität für Bodenkultur, Gregor Mendel Strasse 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
cNieders. Landesinstitut fur Bienenkunde, Wehlstr. 4a, D-29221 Celle, Germany
(
Abstract:
Honey samples from Apis dorsata, A. cerana and A. mellifera were collected by cutting a
piece of honey comb directly from the colonies on the same day and from the same floristic region of
Chitwan district, central Nepal. Physico-chemical analysis of the honey samples was performed. The values
obtained for moisture content, electrical conductivity (EC), invertase, and proline content were
significantly different between all the honey groups. The analytical values for Apis dorsata
(n=28), A. cerana (n=26), and A. mellifera (n=27) respectively were: 21.5, 20.1 and
17.1 moisture content (g/100 g honey); 0.96, 0.65 and 0.31 EC (mS/cm), 373.4, 218.2 and 110.9 invertase
(Siegenthaler U/kg), and 875.8, 323.0 and 610.2 proline (mg/kg). There were no significant differences
between the honey types in pH, glucose oxidase, and the amount of glucose. However, the amount of fructose
was significantly higher in A. dorsata and A. cerana than in A. mellifera honeys.
Similarly, the amount of oligosaccharide L2 was significantly higher and sucrose was significantly
lower in A. dorsata honeys than in A. cerana and A. mellifera honeys.
Keywords:
honey / Apis dorsata / Apis cerana / Apis mellifera / physico-chemical
characteristics / Nepal
Correspondence and reprints: Hermann Pechhacker
E-mail: hpechhacker@relay.bfl.at
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