Beekeeping and honey analysis in Malta

Abstract

The aim of this project was to analyse Maltese honey and local apiaries for the quantity and quality of honey produced. Eleven bee keepers participated in the study, most of them having more than one apiary. Data on the bee keepers, honey production and apiary characteristics was obtained and analysed for particular practices. From the apiaries analysed, it was observed that most of the hives are either situated or trans located to the northern part of Malta, particularly Mellieħa. It may be also concluded that the number of bees in the colonies did not correlate with the amount of honey produced. For honey production, it was observed that most honey was collected during late Spring, Summer and early Autumn, coinciding with the flowering season of most local wild species. Most of the honeys produced are of the mixed floral type, although the exact plant species used for bee foraging was not determined. The honey samples, obtained, were also analysed in the laboratory from a physicochemical point of view. The physicochemical results showed that there is a low moisture content (less than 13 % in most cases) in the honeys and a low pH (i.e. high acidity, less than a pH of 3.35) which both disfavour the growth of microorganisms in the honey and possible inhibit fermentation of honey into ethanol. Most of the honeys analysed, were light in colour, only the carob honey qualifying as amber. The others were on the white to extra light amber colour range. These results may lead to further investigations, on the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of honeys. Pollen types present in the honeys is another parameter that merits an investigation.