Affiliations 

  • 1 Universiti Teknologi MARA
  • 2 Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute
MyJurnal

Abstract

Melissopalynology (pollen analysis) allows the identification of floral sources, botanical and geographical origin of selected Kelulut honey samples. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the origin of selected Kelulut honey by Geniotrigona thoracica and Heterotrigona itama farmed and harvested at Lenggong (Perak). Briefly, the honey was diluted in ddH2O and filtered to obtain the pollens. Subsequently, the morphology of the pollens was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the frequency classes of species were determined. Based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, G. thoracica honey was demonstrated to be a uni-floral honey and H. Itama honey as a multi-floral honey. A total of 7 types of pollens were observed in G. thoracica honey while 9 types in H. Itama honey. Some of the pollen were identified with the aid of pollen atlas while some were unidentified. Furthermore, the results obtained in this study suggested that the pollens present in Kelulut honey are crucial in identifying botanical resource of stingless bee honey, which assist in preserving the ecosystem.