Comparative Proximate and Chemical Analysis of Feral and Arti- ficially Reared Bee Honey Samples from Two Ecological Zones in Nigeria

Abstract

The honey bee Apis mellifera is a social insect domesticated for honey production and pollination activit ies. Studies were carried out to investigate and compare the nutritive and chemical constituents of honey samples of the feral and artificially reared honeybees fro m the guinea and derived savannah geo-ecological zones of Kwara state, Nigeria. The result revealed that the honey sample produced by the feral bees in both eco -zones had higher concentration of sugars (dextrose, fructose, sucrose) while honey sample fro m the art ificial modern bee-keeping method had significantly higher concentration of minerals (Mg 2+ , Fe 2+ , K + ) than two other methods. However, honey samples fro m the derived savannah recorded significantly higher conce n- tration of minerals, p rotein and sugars. The honey samples fro m modern beekeeping methods and from derived savannah ec o- logical zone should be promoted and be enhanced for commercial production. The level o f heavy metals in honey in the market should be monitored so as to prevent the bioaccumulation of harmful ions with in human body.