Comparative veterinary and sanitary evaluation of honey in the forest-steppe zone of the Omsk Region and Krasnoyarsk Territory

Studies of honeys produced by beekeepers in the forest-steppe zone of Omsk region and Krasnoyarsk Krai have been carried out. The natural and climatic features of the above-mentioned zones, including honey-bearing flora determining botanical varieties of honeys collected in these regions were identified. Sampling, methods of organoleptic and physicochemical studies, safety criteria studies, melissopalynological analysis were carried out in accordance with the updated normative documents. Pollen atlases were used to evaluate the results of pollen analysis. Polyfloral honeys prevailed among all honeys studied, the spectrum of collected monofloral honeys was richer on the territory of the Omsk region. The sensory analysis of honeys demonstrated the possibility of organoleptic identification of monofloral buckwheat, linden, melilot and sunflower honeys; other honeys were identified mainly by means of palynological analysis. Physico-chemical studies have established a number of features of natural honeys. It was noted that in honeys from Krasnoyarsk Krai the mass fraction of moisture is higher than in Omsk Region honeys. No reliable differences were found in the content of reducing sugars. The percentage sucrose content in honeys collected in Omsk Region was lower than in the studied samples from natural districts of Krasnoyarsk Krai. The maximum diastase activity was detected in buckwheat honeys and the lowest in linden honey. Implementation of complex veterinary and sanitary examination of honeys must necessarily be carried out taking into account their botanical and geographical features.