Author(s): KL Painkra, GP Painkra, SS Shaw, VK Dubey and Bhagat PK

Abstract: The pollen analysis of fourteen honey samples collected from different locations of northern hill region of Chhattisgarh revealed that all samples of honey were identified as unifloral except Ajirma (KVK) honey. The major pollen source found in honey was Brassica campestris with the pollen ranging from 48 to 61%, Guizotia abyssinica with 50-61% pollen while 60% of pollen belonging to Litchi chinensis was pre dominant pollen type among 14 samples of honey. The pollen content of Moringa oleifera (18-35.5%); Cajanus cajan (16%); Zea mays (17-32.71%); Eucalyptus obliqua (11-33%); Guizotia abyssinica (27-38.6%), Litchi chinensis (40.2%) comes under the category of secondary pollen type. The morphology of pollen grains of 19 plant species were studied and 8 shapes of pollens were recognized out of which round shape was found in Guizotia abyssinica, Brassica campestris, Mangifera indica, Cajanus cajan and Amaranthus. The triangular shape was found in Eucalyptus obliqua, Litchi chinensis, Callistomon spp., Psidium guajava, Bombax cieba and Syzyzium cumini. The oval shape pollen was observed in Zea mays. Prolate spheroid was found in Moringa oleifera. Dyads shape was found in Coriandrum sativum. The oblate spheroid shape was found in Lantana camara and Mimosa pudica. The oblate and sub oblate shape was seen in Fagopyrum esculentum and Sesamum indicum. Identification and quantification of the pollen grains in honey samples are helpful in determining the floral nectar & pollen source used by bees to produce honey. The quantity and quality of pollen grains present in honey are of significance because of the nutritional qualities and play important role in determining the commercial value of honey in the international market.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i1i.1218