Effect of cassava flour feeding on honey yield and the physicochemical and mineral characteristics of honey

Abstract

Various studies have shown that honey yield and quality are influenced not only by the bees consumption in their environment, but also by the season. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding honeybees with cassava flour on these parameters. Ten honeybee colonies were used, divided into two groups of five replicates each: a control group and an experimental group (150 g of cassava flour per day throughout the study). Honey harvests were carried out in mid-December for the rainy season and mid-May for the dry season to determine yields and physicochemical and mineral characteristics. The results showed that honey yield increased by 26.7% in the rainy season and by 29% in the dry season in colonies fed with cassava flour. Honey from the supplemented colonies exhibited significantly higher pH, electrical conductivity, and water content. Dry matter, organic matter, glucose, and fructose contents were lower than in the control. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Mn, Zn, and Fe increased significantly with cassava flour feeding. Cassava flour supplementation improved honey yield and enriched its mineral and protein composition, while remaining compliant with international standards.