The impact of contamination with Nosema SSP. spores on honey obtained by apis mellifera carpathica

Abstract

Nosemose disease is a parasitic disease that affects old honey bees. It is produced by ubiquitous and opportunistic germs of Nosema spp., coupled with huge losses of honey bees within colonies (by depopulation), and reducing of honey production. In Romania, nosemose disease was officially admitted as being produced by two species of Nosema (Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae). The aim of our study was to establish a possible correlation between the honey naturally infested with spores of Nosema spp. (from families diagnosed positive), and the quality of honey used for human consumption. The study was performed on 65 canola honey samples received from private apiaries, of which 40% of them were taken and analyzed (26 positive samples). Various microscopic analyzes, organoleptic and physicochemical on the properties of honey samples were made. The results showed us that there were significant changes in the honey quality correlated with the degree of its natural pollution. We were found that the honey samples with more than 5 spores of Nosema spp./experimental field have presented serious deterioration in terms of organoleptic and physical-chemical properties. We grouped honey samples (26 samples) into 3 categories, according with their physicochemical and organoleptic changes. These changes in the honey quality have a negative economic impact on the use of bee products, and on health of bee families, too.