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!