Pollen and sensorial characterization of different honeys from El Hierro (Canary Islands)

Abstract

The pollen content of 31 honey samples from 19 different apiaries of El Hierro (Canary Islands) were subject to qualitative and quantitative melissopalynological analysis. The quantitative analysis demonstrated that 13% of the honey belonged to Maurizio Class I (<2 000 grains), 68% to Class II (2 000–10 000 grains) and 19% to Class III (10 000–50 000 grains). The pollen density ranges from 1 042 grains/g of honey to 24 478 grains/g with an average of 7 471 grains/g. According to the qualitative analysis, six honeys were typified as unifloral and 25 as multifloral. The unifloral honey samples were broken down as follows: two of heather (Erica arborea L.), two of Chamaecytisus proliferus (L. f.) Link‐type (“tagasaste”), one of Fabaceae (Genisteae sp.) and one of Lamiaceae Origanum vulgare L. ssp. virens (Hoffmanns. & Link) Ietsw.‐type (thyme: Micromeria hyssopifolia Webb & Berthel.). Honeydew elements were practically absent. Sixty‐nine pollen types were identified belonging to 42 families. The number of pollen types range between 18 and 39 (mean of 27.42). Foeniculum vulgare Mill.‐type pollen is present in all the samples. Galactites tomentosa Moench‐type, Echium plantagineum L., Echium L. sp., Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C. H. Stirt., Chamaecytisus proliferus ‐type and Origanum vulgare ssp. virens ‐type pollen were found in 96.8% of the samples. The sensorial analysis indicated that honey types are generally of good quality, because 62% were evaluated as very high (16%), high (23%), and good (23%).

Keywords:

• Honey
• melissopalynological analysis
• sensory analysis
• Canary Islands
• endemic nectariferous taxa
• endemic polliniferous taxa

Acknowledgements

We would like extend our gratitude to the General Directorate of Universities and Research (Education, Culture and Sports Dept. of the Canarian Government) for funding the PI 2001/057 Project, which has allowed us to carry out this work. We would also like to thank the beekeepers of El Hierro, particularly Mr. Emiliano Fernández Armas and Mr. Florencio Gutiérrez, for providing the honey samples and Mr. Juan Luis González Álvarez, SEM operator of the University of La Laguna, for his collaboration in the preparation of the scanning electron micrographs.