Explorative socio-environmental survey for honey quality assessment in six target provinces of Burkina Faso

Honey bees and their products are optimal bio-indicators of environmental contamination. In this study, 12 honey and beeswax samples from 6 hives located in 6 different provinces of Burkina Faso, sited near agricultural crops, were analysed. The honey yield periods taken into account were 2: the main honey yield, occurring during the dry season, and the second, at the end of the rainy season. Physico-chemical parameters (water, total sugars, hydroxy-methyl-furfural content, conductivity, pH and acidity) and residual pesticide analyses were carried out to verify honey quality. In addition, melissopalynological analysis was conducted to establish the botanical origin of the honey samples. The samples identified as probably unifloral honeys were 5, with a predominance of Lannea microcarpa Engl. & K. Krause, Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn., Cassia mimosoides L. and Combretum Loefl. genus, in relation to the predominant pollen. Pollen profiles were compared with plant biodiversity in the sampling area, which covered a surface area of 7 Km 2. A total of 90 beekeepers were interviewed about the impact of agricultural pesticide use on honey bee colonies. Considering the categories of agro-chemical contaminants analysed, no residues were found both in honey and beeswax. However, data showed that both honey quality and beekeeping techniques are in need of improvement. In general, further research is recommended in order to enhance the knowledge relating to the characteristics of honey from Burkina Faso. Moreover, additional research is required to verify the specific impact of pesticides on Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille life-cycle and products. Honey quality improvement could ensure a better-selling price and the possibility of opening new sale channels for burkinabé beekeepers and farmers. At the same time, it assists in guaranteeing pollination within the ecosystem and in biodiversity conservation.