Producing Clover & Cotton Creamed Honey under Cooling Conditions & Potential use as Colonies Feeding

In this study, the possibility to produce creamed honey from liquid clover and cotton honey using glucose powder and temperature of 5°C was investigated. Various glucose powder amounts were added to the liquid honey as 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4% (w/w). Then, some parameters as well as the potential use of creamed honey as natural feeding to honey bee colonies were studied. The results showed that creamed honey can be produced after 2 weeks at 5°C using glucose powder with % of 1.2, 1.8 or 2.4. A negative correlation (r = -0.84) was found between glucose powder (%) and time needed till full crystallization. The increase in glucose (%) caused a reduction in % of fructose, sucrose and moisture. Honey bee colonies consumed creamed honey either of clover or cotton within 24 hours. Creamed cotton honey can be used to feed honey bee colonies when necessary. Especially because cotton honey has very low marketable value due to its undesirable color, scent and taste. Using creamed honey can be considered as a solution to overcome problems of using liquid honey as feeding to honey bees (e.g. the death of bee workers inside the liquid honey). The study presents a simple technology to produce creamed honey using glucose powder and a refrigerator. Also, using creamed honey as natural feeding to honey bee colonies was highlighted.

Abd Elhamid, A.M. and H.F. Abou-Shaara (2016). Producing clover and cotton creamed honey under cooling conditions and potential use as feeding to honey bee colonies. Journal of Apiculture, 31(1): 135-142