Pollen analysis of Marmara Region honeys

The goal of this study is to make botanical characterization of honeys produced in Marmara Region. For this purpose, 182 honey samples were collected from stationary apiaries in different localities that represent the region and were examined from palynologically. The method developed by Louveaux et al. (1978) was used for palynological examination. Pollen grains in honey samples were identified by light microscopy and each taxon was counted separately and their percentages in honey were determined. As a result of the study, pollen types belonging to 95 taxon was identified. Leguminosae, Cruciferae, Rosaceae, Compositae, Graminae, Plantago, Umbelliferae, Cichorioideae, Centaurea and Paliurus spina-christi were the most common taxa in the honeys of the Marmara Region. Representation percentages of these taxa in 182 samples were calculated as 92.3%, 87.9%, 80.8%, 76.9%, 69.2%, 68.7%, 62.6%, 52.2%, 48.4% and 48.4% respectively. The studied samples of 113 were determined as monofloral. The dominant pollen detected in monofloral honeys are belongs to taxa of Castanea sativa, Helianthus annuus, Paliurus spina-christi, Erica, Brassica napus, Tilia, Allium, Hedera, Lupinus, Myosotis, Plantago, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Olea, Cruciferae, Leguminosae and Umbelliferae. In 15 samples, Honey Dew Element/ Pollen ratio was found to be over 3 and they were evaluated as honeydew honey. The total pollen value of 10g honey for the investigated honeys was calculated between 1266 and 1598112.