Pollen diversity in honey collected from Lithuania’s protected landscape areas

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to describe the most unique pollen found in the honey collected in protected landscapes of Lithuania. Honey samples were collected from Lithuania’s protected landscape areas to study the botanical origin of pollen. A total of 17 samples of honey were obtained from different protected geographical locations of Lithuania: Varduva Scenic Landscape Reserve, Salantai Regional Park, Žemaitija National Park, Dzūkija National Park, from the border between Poland and Lithuania in the Lazdijai District, Armona Geological Reserve, Gomerta Landscape Reserve, and Krekenava Regional Park. Botanical origin of honey was determined by the melissopalynology method. Monofloral lime honey was specific for the south (Dzūkija National Park) and east (Armona Geological Reserve) of Lithuania, where pollen of Tilia cordata Mill. made up 79.0% and 53.9%, respectively. Monofloral caraway honey was found in the Salantai Regional Park close to Žemaitija National Park and in the Armona Geological Reserve. In these locations Carum carvi L. pollen in this type of honey accounted for 50.19% and 82.8%, respectively. Honey with the highest content of Fagopyrum esculentum M. pollen (close to 100%) was collected from Dzūkija National Park. Monofloral honey from Onobrychis Mill. was characteristic mainly of the Lazdijai District. Onobrychis Mill. pollen accounted for 52.1–54.4% of the monofloral honey and 9.2–17.8% of the polyfloral honey. Monofloral Frangula alnus Mill. honey was found only in the Lazdijai District, where the dominant F. alnus pollen made up 46.1–52.1%. Salix spp. pollen was identified in all kinds of honey collected in different locations of Lithuania.