A Study of the Yield of Honey in Farms from North-Eastern Bulgaria

The aim is to study the prices, cost and profitability of honey from the Ruse region. A serious problem has been defined for honey, which is a major product of regional beekeeping, respectively its profitability - steadily declining prices do not cover the rising costs of production and sale. The study found that the average prices of the online segment of organic honey compared to the same offline segment in packages of 1 kg have a difference of almost 2 times, and in the smallest cuts 3 times. The gross profit (margin) of the regional honey of the B2B offline markets in the biological and conventional segment for 2020 is negative. The study found that own B2C online channels in the conventional segment achieve a net return of 48 BGN/year per beehive, and in the biological segment - 97.92 BGN/year per beehive. The latter provides 150 beehives with a net income of 1224 BGN/month, which is the yield on the sale of organic honey on the offline B2C markets with 950 beehives. Marketing strategies of beekeeping farms in the Ruse region are needed to achieve competitiveness and profitability at the sectoral and regional level.

Biogenic silver nano sol–loaded spunlace fabric for wound dressing; mechanical and functional characterization

The biogenic silver nano sol (AgNS) is most suitable for biomedical applications due to its inherent properties. In the present investigation polyester (P), viscose (V) and polyester/viscose blend (50:50) (PV) spunlaced fabrics were coated with AgNS prepared using organic honey, manuka honey. The dip-coated fabric samples were found suitable for wound dressing purposes when evaluated layered wise for their mechanical properties. The layer-wise dispersion behavior of the V sample was found better than the P/V and P samples. In the case of the air permeability sample, P/V performed better compared to V and P samples. Water sorption ability of P/V and V are found suitable for wound dressing. The ultraviolet protection factor value of treated fabric found excellent when coated with only honey. Further, the AgNS loaded fabric exhibited good resistance against microbial organisms as revealed by the bromophenol blue stain.

Mapping bee flora in honey producing areas of the Alto Médio Canindé microregion in Piauí state, Brazil

The Brazilian state of Piauí is one of the largest producers of organic honey in the country. Although the product is made from nectar collected from natural vegetation, including several species endemic to the Caatinga, knowledge of the beekeeping potential of semiarid vegetation remains scarce, particularly in Piauí. As such, the present study aimed to map the flora of honey-producing areas of the Alto Médio microregion in Piauí. A survey was conducted of apiaries in the region and bee production in four beekeeping communities, using data provided by the Simplício Mendes Microregion Beekeeping Cooperative (COMAPI). Geographic coordinates were used to generate a map to analyze vegetation in the region and excursions were carried out in previously defined areas to survey plants visited by honeybees. The beekeeping communities in areas with greater floral density had the highest honey production. Forty plant species were collected, with the most representative family being Fabaceae, followed by Euphorbiaceae and Anacardiaceae. Most of the plants surveyed were visited by bees with the sole purpose of collecting nectar and were flowering in months with the highest honey production. Thus, creating a flowering calendar could help beekeepers make better use of the local flora.

Sample analysis of organically produced honey and conventionally produced honey in Western Serbia

Conventional method of honey production is widely spread in the area of western Serbia. Despite the advantages of honey production in an organic manner, beekeepers are still hesitant to take this step, regardless of the difficulties with placement of such honey on the foreign market, so their products are mainly sold on the domestic market. Besides the undeniable nutritional value, honey produced in the conventional way with proper use of agro technical measures and implementation of the wide range of products in the treatment of bee diseases, in its composition very often contain residues of hazardous chemical compounds, pesticides, antibiotics. Research on four qualitative differences of the content of certain substances between the conventional and organic honey producers has been conducted in western Serbia. The research obtained five manufacturers, out of which two were engaged in organic manner of production, while the remaining three dealt with the conventional honey production. After examining the area and the apiaries in question, interviews with honeybee producers, the sampling of honey took place. Upon performed analysis, it was concluded that one conventionally produced sample of honey was not safe for human consumption, due to presence of pesticides.

ORGANIC PRODUCTION IN THE SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN UKRAINE

In the scientific article the need to develop organic production as an important priority for the development of the state food industry are emphasized. A comparative description of European countries with similar natural development potential of the organic sector to Ukraine is made, the volume of the domestic market of organic products in Ukraine is analyzed. The research revealed that Ukraine is a world leader in the production of organic honey, occupies a leading position in the area of certified land, and mainly specializes in the cultivation of grain and oilseeds. It is determined that the key element in the process of development of organic production in Ukraine was the adoption of the Law of Ukraine «On basic principles and requirements for organic production, circulation and labeling of organic products». The law regulates the basic principles and requirements for state organic production, circulation and labeling of organic products, principles of legal regulation of organic production, circulation of organic products and functioning of the organic products market, legal bases of central executive bodies, organic market participants and public policy in these areas. It is proved that an important step towards the development of state organic production is the adoption by the Government of the «Procedure for certification of organic production and circulation of organic products», which was developed taking into account the requirements of EU legislation. The document defines the rules of certification of organic production and circulation of organic products, as well as the procedure for issuing a certificate, its duplicate and form. Given that Ukraine is a leading supplier of organic products to foreign markets, as evidenced by the above data, the introduction of its own certification system will enhance Ukraine’s image in the world trade arena. In addition, it will contribute to the sustainable development of the state organic sector, increase the transparency of production and saturate the state market with organic products. The author notes the first important steps in the development of state organic production, based on which the main problems of such development are identified, which will form an effective infrastructure of the organic market, ensure both environmental and food security of agriculture as a whole.

Pesticides and Environmental Contaminants in Organic Honeys According to Their Different Productive Areas toward Food Safety Protection

Monitoring contaminant residues in honey helps to avoid risks to human health, as it is a natural product widely consumed in all population groups, including the most vulnerable, such as children and the elderly. This is important for organic honey production that may be negatively influenced by geographical area pollution. Considering the importance of collecting data on the occurrence of various xenobiotics in different geographical areas, this study aimed to investigate the presence of contaminant residues (persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and pesticides, including glyphosate and metabolites) in organic honey samples from different production areas using different analytical methods, in order to confirm their incidence and possible impact on the food safety traits of organic production. Regarding POPs, traces of benzofluoroanthene and chrysene were detected in honey from intensive orchards and arable lands. Traces of all polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) congeners were detected at different percentages in almost all of the samples, regardless of the origin area. Traces of polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE 28, 33, and 47) were found in different percentages of samples from all of the geographical areas examined. Traces of organochlorines (OCs) and organophosphates (OPs) were identified in honey samples belonging to all of the geographical areas. No glyphosate, glufosinate, and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) residues were detected.

Physicochemical Characterization of Organic Honeys Harvested in the North West Algerian Area

Background: Consumers have become aware that the industrial methods of honey production have greatly affected the environment and product quality. Today, they want a reorientation of these production modes to obtain healthy and natural organic products. Objective: This study is conducted to evaluate, for the first time in Algeria, the physicochemical composition of organic honey’s harvest in the organic- North West Algerian area. Methods: Twenty-four samples of organic honey were harvested according to the organic beekeeping rules, by selected volunteer beekeepers in organic regions and hives, and then, they were extracted by the traditional method. Physicochemical parameters, such as pH, free acidity, density, electrical conductivity, diastase activity, carbohydrates, hydroxyl methyl furfural (HMF), water content, ash, color intensity and specific optical rotation were evaluated. Results: Mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: pH as 3-4.8, electrical conductivity as 0.123-1.180 mS/cm, free acid as 8-30 mEq/kg, diastase activity as 8.02-40.54 (Shade units), carbohydrates as 60.21-77.07%, sucrose as 1.04-8.97%, HMF quality as 4.67-27.63 mg/kg, water content as 14.2-19.0%, ash as 0.09-0.86%, color intensity ABS450 as 288-1467 mAU, color intensity (Pfund scale) as 0.30-137.34 mm and specific optical rotation at (-16.1)-(-3.8). The analysis indicated that organic honey samples grown in selected sites of our local area are of good quality. All of the obtained values were within the limits imposed by the present legislation (Codex Alimentarius). Conclusion: Analyzed honey samples are characterized as biological products of excellent quality with interesting nutritional properties.

Sugar Profiling of Honeys for Authentication and Detection of Adulterants Using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography

Honey adulteration, where a range of sugar syrups is used to increase bulk volume, is a common problem that has significant negative impacts on the honey industry, both economically and from a consumer confidence perspective. This paper investigates High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) for the authentication and detection of sugar adulterants in honey. The sugar composition of various Australian honeys (Manuka, Jarrah, Marri, Karri, Peppermint and White Gum) was first determined to illustrate the variance depending on the floral origin. Two of the honeys (Manuka and Jarrah) were then artificially adulterated with six different sugar syrups (rice, corn, golden, treacle, glucose and maple syrup). The findings demonstrate that HPTLC sugar profiles, in combination with organic extract profiles, can easily detect the sugar adulterants. As major sugars found in honey, the quantification of fructose and glucose, and their concentration ratio can be used to authenticate the honeys. Quantifications of sucrose and maltose can be used to identify the type of syrup adulterant, in particular when used in combination with HPTLC fingerprinting of the organic honey extracts.