Numerical methods and image processing techniques for melissopalynological honey analysis

Simona Ljasovská,Matej Pospiech,Pavel Hrabec,Zdeňka Javůrková,Bohuslava Tremlová

doi:10.5219/1517

Abstract

Pollen analysis is a method used for verification of the botanical and geographical honey origin. Currently, much effort is being made to introduce automated systems with the use of image analysis programs. The automatic analysis is impeded by the insufficient depth of field of objects when using a light microscope, however, this can be avoided by using image reconstruction from images obtained from different focal planes. In this method, testing was performed on the normal focus (NF) and extended-depth-of-focus (EDF) images. These two methods were compared and statistically evaluated. The number of pollen grains and selected morphometric characteristics were compared. For EDF images, a higher number of pollen grains was obtained for the analysis, and except for the length/width ratio, a statistically significant difference was observed in the characteristics of pollen grains between the compared NF and EDF methods.

Highlights

One of the important pieces of information for consumers of honey is its geographical and botanical origin (Švamberk, 2015)
For EDF images, a higher number of pollen grains was obtained for the analysis, and except for the length/width ratio, a statistically significant difference was observed in the characteristics of pollen grains between the compared normal focus (NF) and EDF methods
In this work, the extended depth of focus obtained from images from different focal planes and normal focused images was compared

Summary

Introduction

One of the important pieces of information for consumers of honey is its geographical and botanical origin (Švamberk, 2015). Sensory and physicochemical analyses are not less important for the correct detection of botanical origin (Von Der Ohe et al, 2004). There are some exceptions, as some plants are less pollen-producing and the amount of their pollen in honey is lower (Kolayli et al, 2016). To verify the botanical and geographical origin of honey, qualitative pollen analysis has to be applied; while the quantitative analysis is suitable for assessing the extraction and processing of honey (or filtration) (Von Der Ohe et al, 2004)

Methods

Results

Conclusion