Characterisation of some monofloral Algerian honeys by pollen analysis

Abstract

In order to contribute to the knowledge of monofloral honeys from northern Africa, a number of 116 honey samples were collected in three areas in the northern region of Algeria and analysed for their melissopalynological characteristics. Fifty-one of them proved to be monofloral and were mainly from four botanical sources: Eucalyptus spp., Hedysarum coronarium, Pimpinella anisum and Citrus spp. The honeys could be differentiated from honeys from neighbouring countries by the presence of specific associated pollen. Besides the main pollen species, the characteristic 12 pollen types in the four monofloral Algerian honeys in this study were: Acacia sp., Brassicaceae, Carduus sp., Centaurea sp., Convolvulus arvensis, Eucalyptus spp., Olea europaea, Papaver rhoeas, Pimpinella anisum, Trifolium spp., Rubus sp. and Vicia sp. Regional differences in the pollen composition were also observed. Characteristic associated pollen grains in the north-western region were Acacia sp., Brassicaceae, Carduus sp. and Centaurea sp., in the central north region Coriandrum sativum, Echium sp. and Trifolium spp. and in the north-eastern region Apiaceae.