Comparison of the physicochemical characteristics of sidr (Ziziphus spp.) honey produced by Apis florea F. and Apis mellifera L.

Honey produced by different honey bee species exhibits distinct physicochemical characteristics, allowing for differentiation based on the bees' origin. A study comparing sidr (Ziziphus spp.) honey from Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia revealed that Apis florea honey had higher moisture content, fructose, isomaltose, trehalose, ash, protein, free acidity, and invertase activity compared to subspecies of Apis mellifera. Conversely, A. m. carnica honey showed higher glucose, erlose, pH, and diastase levels, while A. m. jemenitica honey had elevated specific gravity, turanose, maltose, and glucose oxidase activity. These findings suggest that bee species influence honey composition, potentially offering a method for traceability in apicultural products.

Taha, E.-K. A., Al-Kahtani, S., & Taha, R. (2020). Comparison of the physicochemical characteristics of sidr (Ziziphus spp.) honey produced by Apis florea F. and Apis mellifera L. Journal of Apicultural Research, 60(3), 470–477. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2020.1746036