Beekeeping Practices and Physicochemical Properties of Honey Produced in Maun, Botswana

Abstract

Beekeeping sector plays a major role in rural socio-economic development and environmental conservation. Maun has been identified as one of the excellent potential areas for honeybee production in Botswana because of its suitable agroecological condition for beekeeping. Maun village is located in north-western Botswana and tourism is the main economic activity in the area. It is situated at the gateway for tourists visiting the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. The study was conducted to assess beekeeping practices and determine the physicochemical properties of honey produced in Maun village. Honeybee production practices were assessed by conducting questionnaire survey. Three honey samples were obtained each from backyard hives and the forest and analysed for their physicochemical properties following standard procedures. Honey samples collected from backyard hives had an average moisture (%), pH, free acidity (meq/kg), total ash (%), reducing sugars (%), sucrose (%) and Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (mg/kg) contents of 18.03±0.15, 4.12±0.02, 21.6±0.10, 0.14±0.01, 71.27±0.13, 1.63±0.02 and 17.67±0.21, respectively. The corresponding values for honey samples collected from the forest were 17.43±0.21, 6.45±0.17, 13.17±0.06, 0.27±0.02, 60.38±0.16, 0.84±0.04 and 20.63±0.55, respectively. Significant differences (p＜0.05) were observed between backyard and forest honey samples for all the parameters considered. The pH, total ash and HMF contents of forest honey samples were significantly higher (p＜0.05) than the corresponding values for backyard honey. On the other hand, the moisture, free acidity, reducing sugars and sucrose contents of backyard honey samples were significantly higher (p＜0.05) than the corresponding values for forest honey. In Maun area, honey is mainly produced in the backyards of farmers using modern hives although some honey is collected from the forest. The dominant vegetation in the area that are used as bee forage include herbs such as rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and peppermint (Mentha piperita), strawberry plant (Fragaria ananassa), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea). Honey is mostly harvested in December, and it is used for acne and flu remedy, colds, and as a sweetener. The major challenges of beekeeping in the area were reported to be pests such as wax moth, ants and yellow jackets; use of pesticides and harsh weather conditions. In conclusion, honey produced in Maun area is of good quality. Most of the physicochemical parameters of both honey types analysed in the present study were within the limits of international standards for honey.