Unlocking Mozambique's Honey Potential: A Sweet Path to Sustainability

Mozambique's honey is characterized by its unique qualities, including its physicochemical properties, color, sugar content, total antioxidants, pollen composition, and volatile compounds. The presence of specific pollen types like Astragalus, Acanthus sp, and others indicates the diverse flora that contributes to the honey's distinctive characteristics. These factors collectively define the honey's quality and potential applications, highlighting its uniqueness.

Apiculture, or beekeeping, is significant because it offers Mozambique a path to sustainability by empowering local communities and preserving the environment. It presents an opportunity to boost the economy and improve the livelihoods of citizens by producing a valuable resource. The study's findings on honey characteristics pave the way for improved beekeeping practices and better storage conditions, ultimately benefiting the local economy and its environmental efforts.

The study identified eight distinct honey types based on their pollen spectrum. The predominant pollens included Astragalus type, Acanthus sp, Celastraceae, Brassicaceae, Anacardiaceae and Astragalus type, Astragalus type and Myrtaceae, Asteraceae family, and Unknown. These pollen profiles reflect the diverse flora in North and Central Mozambique, which is crucial for understanding the honey's origin and unique properties. The presence of different pollen types contributes to the honey's distinctive flavors, aromas, and overall characteristics.

The unique qualities of Mozambique's honey are important for its economic potential and sustainable development. The study's characterization of honey from North and Central Mozambique, including its physicochemical properties, color, sugar content, total antioxidants, pollen composition, and volatile compounds, allows for a better understanding of its quality and potential applications. Identifying and understanding these characteristics is vital for beekeeping training, responsible practices, and leveraging the honey's full potential. These insights highlight the potential for economic growth and environmental conservation through apiculture.

The presence of furan compounds in Sofala and Manica honeys suggests the need for improved beekeeping practices or storage conditions. These compounds can indicate that the honey has been exposed to high temperatures or improper storage. The implications are that local beekeepers require enhanced training and resources to maintain the quality of their honey and prevent the formation of these compounds. Improving beekeeping practices is crucial for the economic value and marketability of Mozambique's honey.