Pollen analysis in honey samples (Apis mellifera L.) from the main honey-producing microregion in Brazil

Abstract

In Piauí, beekeeping has become one of the most important economic activities in the state, particularly in the semi-arid region, where the Alto Médio Canindé microregion stands out as the largest honey producer in the country. Honey derived from the flowering plants of the Caatinga vegetation, exhibits distinct sensory characteristics, and understanding the plant species responsible for honey production in Piauí can be a valuable tool for enhancing the product's value. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify the main pollen types present in honey samples from the Alto Médio Canindé microregion, Piauí. To achieve this, 50 samples were collected from municipalities within the territory. The identification of the pollen spectrum in the samples was performed by counting and determining the frequency of the most representative pollen grains. As a result, 36 pollen types were found. Of these, 16 types were identified as belonging to 10 botanical families, with the Fabaceae family showing the highest representation. The pollen types with the highest grain frequency were Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Sida maculata, Piptadenia retusa, Combretum leprosum, and Croton. The presence of pollen types from Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Croton, Jatropha, and Sida maculata confirmed the honey's origin as being from the Caatinga biome, as these genera include a high number of endemic species.