Download - Science in the hive - apiculture products
The science behind
hive products
Bush/wild mango Irvingia spp.
THINKING beyond the canopy
SNV-WCA Forestry Knowledge Network Event
1-3 June 2010, Foumban, Cameroon
Verina Ingram
CIFOR & University Amsterdam, NetherlandsMarijana Zovko Koncic, Assistant Professor
Ivan Kosalec, Assistant Professor Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Hive products are valuable• Honey is the most well
known apiculture product in
Cameroon.
• Other hive products are
either unknown or simply
thrown away as
beekeepers do not realise
their values.
• However wax and propolis
can, kilo for kilo, fetch up to
double the market price of
honey, particularly in
international markets
The bee - tree link• The physical and chemical
properties of hive products are
determined by the vegetation
upon which bees forage.
• Each vegetation type imparts
unique properties to honey, wax
and propolis
• The botanic origin can be used
to market not just honey, but all
hive products.
• This provides a ‘unique selling
point’, that can be used to enter
new markets, differentiate
products, assure customers of
quality and explain differences
Lophira lanceolota Kofia
Aim
s• Present results of botanic assessments,
chemical and physical analysis of honeys from 2
Cameroon beekeeping sites : Oku & Ngoundal
• Explain the technical terms and how honeys
differ based on the vegetation.
• Propose a floristic profile of honeys in Cameroon
Nuxia congesta
nfuewainCroton maestsius
ejuam
Carapa grandifolia
e'vuin
Technical termsPHENOLS
• Important constituents of plants
• Phenols protec plants against
– UV rays
– Insects
– Microorganisms…
• Great structural diversity
MICROBIAL
• Uses to counter microorgainsims eg fungii
MethodologyPropolisLaboratory analysis• Laboratory test extracted propolis (University of Zagreb, Croatia)
HoneyBotanic assessment • Field observations, literature review, interviews and data from beekeepers,
feedback during SNV Training of Trainers meeting, Bamenda 2007
Laboratory analysis• Laboratory test for chemical residues, chemical and physical properties
(APPICA Lab, Germany & VIMTA Labs, India)
• Pollen analysis (APPICA Lab, Germany )
Wax Laboratory analysis• Laboratory test of chemical residues, heavy metals, chemical and physical
properties (APPICA Lab, Germany and VIMTA Lab, India)
Technical terms
FLAVONOIDS
• Flavonoids among the most important plant phenols
• They have different biological activities
– Antioxidant
– Antiinflammatory
– Antiinfective
– Diuretic
– Enzyme inhibitors
• Propolis is rich in flavonoids
Technical terms
ANTIOXIDANTS
• Oxidative stress can lead to
– Chronic inflammation
– Cardiovascular diseases
– Cancer
– Diabetic complications
• Antioxidants help prevent these sicknesses
Results: Propolis
• 12 Samples - 3 groups
– Hive Type
• Traditional hives or wild
swarms in tree boles
– Locations
• Ngoundal in Adamaoua
• Oku in Northwest
• Bamenda in Northwest
Propolis is a mix of beeswax & resins collected
from plants, particularly flowers, leaf buds and
resins, mixed with saliva and other secretions.
• Up to 35% is extractable with
80% ethanol
• Extracts are rich in;
– Phenols
– Flavonoids
– Extract from Ngoundal (12) is
richest in phenols and flavonoids.
– No differences between extracts
from Adamaoua (2 4,6 11) and
Oku (1,5)
Composition of Cameroonian propolis
Antioxidant properties
• 1. Antiradical activity
– Extracts 1 and 12 were as effective as
strong antioxidant, BHA
• 2. Reducing power
– Dose-dependent for all the extracts
– Extract 12 was the most active
• 3. Antioxidant activity in reaction with -
carotene
– Extracts 2 and 6 were as active as BHA
• Activity was related to quantity of phenols
• Extracts from traditional hives were more
active than from tree holes
• No diferrences in activity of extracts from
Oku and Adamoua
Antimicrobial properties
• Propolis is used honeybees protection of hive and community against microbes and invanders
• Ethanol extracts of Propolis (EPE) have a wide range of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses
• The best known application of EPE is local (on skin or mucous), to combat inflammation and infections and foster local immuno-system
• EPE act as angiogenic (formation of new vessels), anti-flogistic, anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic
• The biological activity of propolis is influenced by its chemical composition this is a reason for quality assessment
Antimicrobial properties
Samples / zones of inhibition (mm)
Microbial
species
Honco Guiding Hope Oku
Honey
Crop
Guiding Hope
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
S.
aureus0 0 10 10 11 13 12 10 13 10 13 12
B.
subtilis0 10 10 14 12 0 10 10 13 10 11 10
E. coli 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
P.
aerugini
osa
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
C.
albicans0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Results of diffusion method
Legend: 0= no antimicrobial activity in diffusion method
Antimicrobial properties
Samples / MICs (mg/mL)
Microbial
species
Honco Guiding Hope Oku
Honey
Crop
Guiding Hope
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
S.
aureus25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
B.
subtilis>50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50
E. coli 12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 25 12,5 12,5 12,5 25 12,5
P.
aerugini
osa
>50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50
C.
albicans12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 25 12,5 12,5 25 25 12,5 12,5
Results of serial macro-dilution method
Results: Antimicrobial properties
• EPEs were found to be antimicrobially
active against Staphylococcus aureus,
Candida albicans and Escherichia coli
• Samples showed relatively similar
antimicrobial activities
Propolis Conclusions
• Cameroonian propolis:
– Rich in phenols
– Valuable source of natural flavonoids
– Excellent antioxidant properties
– Has potential in prevention and therapy of
many diseases e.g. antibacterial , fungicidal,
tissue regeneration and renovation
(dermatological & cosmetic applications)
– A valuable bee product!
Propolis indigenous uses
• Cameroonian propolis:– Used powdered or extracted in ointments, creams and soaps for skin
complaints, rashes, fungal infections, ringworm
– Chewed for stomach upsets and sore throats
– Placed on tooth for toothache
– gently warmed in hot water to soften and applied to affected boils ringworm,
fungus infections especially on finger, wounds and sores.
– It is seen as most effective when used fresh from the hive with no processing
other than chewing or warming to soften.
Local uses match scientific evidence of its properties
Sources: Interviews Berudep, Anco, Honco, Oku Honey Cooperative, Guiding Hope, Mampu Honey Cooperative 2008-2010
Botanic
assessment
Adamaoua savanna
Woody tropical savannah forest & shrubs (900m to 1500m:*#Lophira Lanceolata (Kofia), *#Daniella olivera (Kea), *Annonasenegalensis, *Croton macrostachyus, *Psorospermum febrifugum,*Syzygium guineense, Burkea africana, Terminalia spp.,Combretum molle, Entada abyssinica, Entada africana,Mimosoideae, Parkia biglobosa, Protea madiensis, Psiliostigmathonnigia, Prosopsis africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Acaciaangustissima, Terminalia molle, Terminalia glaucescan Harungana,*#Bombax pentandrum L., *Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea nut),Harungana madagascariensis, $Vitex doniana, $Vitex madiensis
Valley bottoms, closed semi-deciduous forest:Aubrevillea kerstingii, Erythrophloeum suaveolens, Chlorophora
excelsa, Khaya grandifoliola, Phyllanthus discoideus;Swampy valleys dominated by; Syzygium guineense var.
guineense.
Pollen analysis by microscopy:
Accompanying pollen (>15%) 37% relative content: Combretaceae Significant isolated pollen (≥ 3%) 9% relative content: Anacardiaceae, Campanulaceae, Mimosaceae, Acacia, Myrtaceae,
Proteaceae, Rutaceae, Zanthoxylum-T
Botanic
assessment
Afromontane cloud forest; Kilum-IjimHighly biodiverse montane & semi montane tropical cloud forests(1600m to 3000m): Maesa lanceolata, Podocarpus latifolius,Gnidia glauca, Rapanea melanophloeos, Solanecio mannii;Montane mixed forest (2100m to 3000m): Milletia conraui,Markhamia lutea, Schefflera abyssinica, Schefflera barteri,Schefflera manii, Maesa lanceolata, Nuxia congesta, Albiziagummifera, Syzgium guineense, Syzgium staudii, Crotonmacrostachyus, Maesa lanceolata, Pittosporum viridiflorum,Solanecio mannii, Rapanea melanophloeos, Prunus africana,Carapa grandifolia, Syzygium guineense, Maesa lanceolata;Montane woodland: Erica mannii, Gnidia glauca, Maesalanceolata, Hypericum revolutum; Mature alpine bamboo: Maesalanceolata, Gnidia glauca, Pittosporum viridiflorum; Openwoodland/ scrubland: Gnidia glauca, Maesa lanceolata,Hypericum revolutum. Canarium schweinfurthiiPollen analysis by microscopy:Main pollen (>45%) none. Accompanying pollen (>15%) 27% relativecontent: Zanthoxylum (Tomtom/Ebotom, Bongo, Elelongo) %, Coffea27%, Eucalyptus 23%. Significant isolated pollen (≥ 3%) 15% relativecontent: Aster, Acanthaceae, # Balsaminaceae (Impatiens),#Chenopodiaceae (Chenopodium),#Compositae (Vernonia colorata),Gramineae, Myrtaceae, Palmae (Elaeis), Salicaceae (Salix),Thymeleaceae (Daphne)
Symbols
# species used locally and
internationally for medical properties
of their barks, roots and leaves
*melliferous species
$ pollen rich species.
Botanic
assessment
Northwest and Southwest Highlands
• 107 local and endemic speciesidentified
•63 agroforestry and agriculturalspecies identified
•3 bee hating species!Anona sengelensis, Chinipodium sp., Afromomum
spp (Gorilla food, wild ginger)
• 4 species known to producegranulated / crystallized honeyCroton macrostachyus , Sheffleria mannii, Scheffleria
abysinnia and Vocassa grass
Agro-ecological
zones
Cameroon
white
montane
savannah
gold highlands
Profiling Cameroon honeys
• In Cameroon no standards and little
consumer understanding of why there are
different honey characteristics
• Confusion between quality, geographic &
botanic origins and processing/production
• EU has already developed criteria to
classify and address producer and
consumer misunderstandings
• Why not use a similar classification for
Cameroon?
1. Definition: Honey is the natural sweet substance produced by Apis mellifera
bees from the nectar of plants or from secretions of living parts of plants or
excretions of plant-sucking insects on the living parts of plants, which the bees
collect, transform by combining with specific substances of their own, deposit,
dehydrate, store and leave in honeycombs to ripen and mature.
2. Honey types:
(a) according to origin:
(i) blossom honey or plant nectar honey
(ii) honeydew honey (from excretions of plant sucking insects (Hemiptera)
(b) according to mode of production and/or presentation:
(iii) Comb : stored in freshly built broodless combs or wax comb foundation sheets
(iv) Chunk or cut comb in honey: contains one + pieces of comb;
(v) Drained honey: by draining decapped broodless combs;
(vi) Extracted honey; obtained by centrifuging decapped broodless combs;
(vii) Pressed honey; obtained by pressing broodless combs with/without application
of moderate heat not exceeding 45 °C;
(viii) Filtered honey; obtained by removing foreign inorganic or organic matter to
lead to significant removal of pollen.
3. Baker's honey; (a) suitable for industrial uses or as an ingredient in foodstuffs which
are then processed and (b) may: have a foreign taste or odour, or have begun to
ferment or have fermented, or have been overheated.
EU Directive 2001/110/EC 20 Dec 2001 relating to honey
Profiling Cameroon honeys Honey type /Name
Visual & Taste Contamination Geographic/Botanic Origin
Example
Moisture & Sugar content
Colour Physical state
(solid/liquid)
Chemical residues/
Bacterial contamination
Location & examples
Typical plant source
Stingless or Ground bee honey
Average around 20%
Dark amber (brown)
Thin, runny liquid
? NW: Oku Montane forests? ANCOHONCO
Lowland forest honey
Average around 17%
Dark amber (brown)
Thick, runny liquid
? SW: Buea, Mamfe, Akwaya, TombelNW; Ako,
Lowland rainforest trees
BDCBEFCOBOBEEFAG
Savannah honey Average around 17%
Dark amber (brown)
Thick, viscous liquid
Organic certified NW: Wum
Adamoua; Ngoundal, Ngoundere
Woody tropical savannah trees and shrubs
BEMIXCIG
Montane white honey
Average around 14-17% but often up to 22%
Light amber(Cream)
Solid, wholly granulated or smooth “paste” consistency
? NW: Oku/Kilum Ijum forests, Nkambe, NduKupe
Muanenguba?
montane and semimontane tropicalcloud forestsAlso farm forest
BERUDEP
Oku Honey Coop
Oku Honey Association ANCOHONCO
Gold Highlands honey
Average around 16 –18%%
Amber(Golden brown)
Thick, runny liquid to semi crystallised
Bacteria& fungus found in “market” processed honeys in Dschang area
NW: Fundong, Bafut, Mezam, Ndop, Kumbo, Menchum valley
W: Dschang, Bafoussam, Mbouda, Fongo -Tongo
Farmlands
Agrofrestry trees (coffee, avocado pear, plum, citrus, mangos)
gallery or small forests
WAP: Boyo GoldFAPRIBAHONCO
Honey tests
Example: Guiding Hope
• Organic certified UK Soil
Association
• Analysis of Hydroxy methyl
furfuldehyd (HMF), pH, acid,
glycerine, sugar spectrum,
proteins, yeast, moisture,
and starch and pollen
content, sediment, invertase
activity
• Tested for microbiological
activity
Price increases up to 25% forquality honey in urban markets
Export markets higher price forcertified organic 2.50 €/1592FCFA
Wax tests
Example: Guiding Hope• Organic certified UK Soil
Association
• Tests for main properties:
Melting point, Acid value,
Ester value, Ratio number
Saponification value
• Tested for ceresin, paraffin
and other waxes (purity)
• Tested for glycerol and other
polyhydric alcohols (purity)
• Tested for chemical residues
and heavy metals
‘’All clear’’ on all tests!Demonstrating quality canincrease price e.g. black toyellow wax increase by 29% andorganic certification by 49%.
Conclusions
• Producers should know and record where
honey, wax and propolis comes from!
• Tests can provide information that can be
used in marketing honey; locally in
Cameroon and internationally
• Use botanic and geographic information to
sell products and increase profits
• Tests can prove quality and origin
• Information can reassure consumers
Merci!