The science behind hive products. Ingram koncic kosalec, science in the hive snv apiculture knowlege share event foumban june 2010

1. The science behind
hive products
Verina Ingram
CIFOR & University Amsterdam, Netherlands
Marijana Zovko Koncic, Assistant Professor
Ivan Kosalec, Assistant Professor
Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Bush/wild mango Irvingia spp.
SNV-WCA Forestry Knowledge Network Event
1-3 June 2010, Foumban, Cameroon
THINKING beyond the canopy

2. 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

3. 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

4. Nuxia congesta
nfuewain
Croton maestsius
ejuam
Carapa grandifolia
e'vuin
Aims
• 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

5. Technical terms
PHENOLS
• Important constituents of plants
• Phenols protec plants against
– UV rays
– Insects
– Microorganisms…
• Great structural diversity
MICROBIAL
• Uses to counter microorgainsims eg fungii

6. Methodology
Propolis
Laboratory analysis
• Laboratory test extracted propolis (University of Zagreb, Croatia)
Honey
Botanic 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)

7. 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

8. Technical terms
ANTIOXIDANTS
• Oxidative stress can lead to
– Chronic inflammation
– Cardiovascular diseases
– Cancer
– Diabetic complications
• Antioxidants help prevent these sicknesses

9. Results: Propolis
Propolis is a mix of beeswax & resins collected
from plants, particularly flowers, leaf buds and
resins, mixed with saliva and other secretions.
• 12 Samples - 3 groups
– Hive Type
• Traditional hives or wild
swarms in tree boles
– Locations
• Ngoundal in Adamaoua
• Oku in Northwest
• Bamenda in Northwest

10. Composition of Cameroonian propolis
• 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)

11. 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

12. 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), antiflogistic, anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic
• The biological activity of propolis is influenced by its
chemical composition  this is a reason for quality
assessment

13. Antimicrobial properties
Results of diffusion method
Samples / zones of inhibition (mm)
Honco
Guiding Hope
Oku
Honey
Crop
Microbial
species
Guiding Hope
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
S.
aureus
0
0
10
10
11
13
12
10
13
10
13
12
B.
subtilis
0
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.
albicans
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Legend: 0= no antimicrobial activity in diffusion method

14. Antimicrobial properties
Results of serial macro-dilution method
Samples / MICs (mg/mL)
Honco
Guiding Hope
Oku
Honey
Crop
Microbial
species
Guiding Hope
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
S.
aureus
25
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.
albicans
12,5
12,5
12,5
12,5
12,5
25
12,5
12,5
25
25
12,5
12,5

15. Results: Antimicrobial properties
• EPEs were found to be antimicrobially
active against Staphylococcus aureus,
Candida albicans and Escherichia coli
• Samples showed relatively similar
antimicrobial activities

16. 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!

17. 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

18. Botanic
Woody tropical savannah forest & shrubs (900m to 1500m:
*#Lophira Lanceolata (Kofia), *#Daniella olivera (Kea), *Annona assessment
Adamaoua savanna
senegalensis, *Croton macrostachyus, *Psorospermum febrifugum,
*Syzygium guineense, Burkea africana, Terminalia spp.,
Combretum molle, Entada abyssinica, Entada africana,
Mimosoideae, Parkia biglobosa, Protea madiensis, Psiliostigma
thonnigia, Prosopsis africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Acacia
angustissima, 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

19. Afromontane cloud forest; Kilum-Ijim
Highly 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, Albizia
gummifera, Syzgium guineense, Syzgium staudii,
Croton
macrostachyus,
Maesa lanceolata, Pittosporum viridiflorum,
Solanecio mannii, Rapanea melanophloeos, Prunus africana,
Carapa grandifolia, Syzygium guineense, Maesa lanceolata;
Montane woodland: Erica mannii, Gnidia glauca, Maesa
lanceolata, Hypericum revolutum; Mature alpine bamboo: Maesa
lanceolata, Gnidia glauca, Pittosporum viridiflorum; Open
woodland/ scrubland: Gnidia glauca, Maesa lanceolata,
Hypericum revolutum. Canarium schweinfurthii
Pollen analysis by microscopy:
Main pollen (>45%) none. Accompanying pollen (>15%) 27% relative
content: Zanthoxylum (Tomtom/Ebotom, Bongo, Elelongo) %, Coffea
27%, Eucalyptus 23%. Significant isolated pollen (≥ 3%) 15% relative
content: Aster, Acanthaceae, # Balsaminaceae (Impatiens),
#Chenopodiaceae (Chenopodium),#Compositae (Vernonia colorata),
Gramineae, Myrtaceae, Palmae (Elaeis), Salicaceae (Salix),
Thymeleaceae (Daphne)
Botanic
assessment
Symbols
# species used locally and
internationally for medical properties
of their barks, roots and leaves
*melliferous species
$ pollen rich species.

20. Northwest and Southwest Highlands
• 107 local and endemic species
identified
•63 agroforestry and agricultural
species identified
•3 bee hating species!
Anona sengelensis, Chinipodium sp., Afromomum
spp (Gorilla food, wild ginger)
• 4 species known to produce
granulated / crystallized honey
Croton macrostachyus , Sheffleria mannii, Scheffleria
abysinnia and Vocassa grass
Botanic
assessment

21. Agro-ecological
zones
Cameroon
white
montane
savannah
gold highlands

22. 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?

23. 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.
EU Directive 2001/110/EC 20 Dec 2001 relating to honey
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.

24. Profiling Cameroon honeys
Visual & Taste
Honey type
/Name
Moisture
& Sugar
content
Colour
Contamination
Physical
state
(solid/
liquid)
Thin, runny
liquid
Chemical
residues/
Bacterial
contamination
?
Thick, runny
liquid
?
Organic certified
Stingless or
Ground bee
honey
Lowland forest
honey
Average
around
20%
Average
around
17%
Dark
amber
(brown)
Dark
amber
(brown)
Savannah honey
Average
around
17%
Dark
amber
(brown)
Thick,
viscous
liquid
Montane white
honey
Average
around
14-17%
but often
up to
22%
Light
amber
(Cream)
Solid, wholly ?
granulated
or smooth
“paste”
consistency
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
Geographic/Botanic
Origin
Location
Typical plant
& examples
source
Example
NW: Oku
Montane forests?
ANCO
HONCO
SW: Buea,
Mamfe, Akwaya,
Tombel
NW; Ako,
NW: Wum
Adamoua;
Ngoundal,
Ngoundere
NW: Oku/Kilum
Ijum forests,
Nkambe, Ndu
Kupe
Muanenguba?
Lowland rainforest
trees
BDC
BEFCO
BOBEEFAG
NW: Fundong,
Bafut, Mezam,
Ndop, Kumbo,
Menchum valley
W: Dschang,
Bafoussam,
Mbouda, Fongo Tongo
Farmlands
Agrofrestry trees
(coffee, avocado
pear, plum, citrus,
mangos)
BEMIXCIG
Woody tropical
savannah trees and
shrubs
montane and semi
montane
tropical
cloud forests
Also farm forest
gallery or small
forests
BERUDEP
Oku Honey
Coop
Oku Honey
Association
ANCO
HONCO
WAP: Boyo
Gold
FAP
RIBA
HONCO

25. 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% for
quality honey in urban markets
Export markets higher price for
certified organic 2.50 €/1592
FCFA

26. 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
can
increase price e.g. black to
yellow wax increase by 29% and
organic certification by 49%.

27. 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

28. Merci!