Pigmentation of Some Honeybee, Apis Mellifera L., Products

Some floral pigments (including antioxidants); carotenoids, chlorophylls, anthocyanins and xanthophylls were determined colorimetrically in some honeybee, Apis mellifera L., products; citrus, clover and cotton honeys, three types of beeswax; white, brown and dark and propolis; brown, dark brown and dark. Two solvents (acetone or ethanol) were used for extraction and determination of pigments at special wave lengths. Pigment contents were obviously different qualitatively and quantitatively in the two tested solvents for all samples. The obtained results revealed that cotton honey had high pigment content compared to citrus or clover honeys. Pigment contents were proportionally increased with the increasing in darkness of color in the types of beeswax and propolis. Pigments were higher in pollen grains of cotton, clover and citrus than those of their flowers. Meanwhile, pollen spectra in tested honeys indicated that different pollen species were represented in each honey type regardless the main plant source for nectar. The importance of recorded pigments (colorants) is not only contributing as "markers" of the origin of bee products and distinguishing adulteration but also many of them (esp. carotenoids) is more valuable substances as antioxidants.