Pollen analysis of honey derived from Ekiti state, Nigeria

This study seeks to identify the types of pollen grains occurring in ten honey samples produced from different parts of Ekiti State in Southwestern Nigeria. According to qualitative analysis, pollen grains of plants from 32 families were identified. They included Ceasalpiniaceae, Araceae, Poaceae, Malvaceae, Rubiaceae, Papilionaceae, Sapindaceae and Euphobiaceae. Dominant pollen types were Adenia dssempeloides, Euphorbia hirta, Eiaies guineensis. Eighty-five pollen types were identified from the honey samples examined. Pollen grains of Adenia cordiflora, Eiaies guineensis and Zea mays were found in nearly all the samples. Other important taxa used as sources of nectar by honey bees were identified and listed. The pollen spectra of the samples were indicator of various plant species visited by honey bees in the area which reflect the ecological vegetation type in Ekiti State, Nigeria