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Melissopalynological characteristics of Croatian sage (Salvia officinalis L.) honey

Due to its climatic diversities, Croatia has a huge potential for production of specific types of honey. Diversity that is found in our climatic zones and biocenological structure represent a unique national resource that is rarely found in Europe. It is known that Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is not present on such large areas among the native flora in other Mediterranean countries as in Croatian Adriatic area. According to unique sensory attributes sage honey is classified among the high quality honeys. However, due to non-systematic research of botanical origins of Croatian honey, its pollen spectrum is insufficiently known. Research was carried out on 32 honey samples collected directly from beekeepers whose hives were distributed on different locations across Croatian Mediterranean area. A range from 15 to 39 % of sage pollen grains was determined in analyzed honey samples. The average value was 24, 59 % and standard deviation 5, 94 %. In the analyzed honey, apart from S. officinalis, the highest frequency was determined for Paliurus spina christi, Olea europea, Cistus salvifolius, Cirsium spp., Trifolium pratense gr. and Melilotus spp. pollen grains. According to the quantitative pollen analysis, average value of absolute number of pollen grains and honeydew elements was 10, 97 x 10³ ; /10 g honey. Results of melissopalynological data obtained in this research can be used as base for the protected geographic denomination of honey.

melissopalynological analysis; honey; Salvia officinalis; Croatia

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