Melissopalynological studies in India: A review

Abstract

The study of pollen grains in honey is called melissopalynology, an applied subfield of palynology. The honey bee uses the nectar and pollen it gathers from the flowers it visits to make honey.  Research into the melissopalynological method of analyzing honey samples for pollen concentration was popular in Europe and the United States for many years. This review article makes an effort to bring together, from their earliest beginnings in the 1950s to the most up-to-date findings, the many studies that have been conducted on melissopalynology in India. Major bee feeding plants of the researched locations with seasonal changes are investigated in the many studies from various parts of India. Some physicochemical factors were detected in Indian honey in addition to the pollen studies, but not at a high enough level to provide a satisfactory quality control. In an effort to improve the apicultural market, this assessment is also making an attempt to define the current state of the field and its potential future growth.