User:Ptilothrix/Melissopalynology

Introduction
Melissopalynology is the study of pollen contained in honey and, in particular, the pollen's source. By studying the pollen in a sample of honey, it is possible to gain evidence of the geographical location and genus of the plants that the honey bees visited, although honey may also contain airborne pollens from anemophilous plants, spores, and dust due to attraction by the electrostatic charge of bees. Melissopalynology examines pollen found in in honey to determine its floral content and geographical origin. Alongside physical and chemical properties, pollen contents confer information on honey floral types.

In general, melissopalynology is used to combat fraud and inaccurate labelling of honey. Information gained from the study of a given sample of honey (and pollen) is useful when substantiating claims of a particular source for the sample. Monofloral honey derived from one particular source plant may be more valuable than honey derived from many types of plants. The price of honey also varies according to the region from which it originates.

Melissopalynological studies determine the correlation between annual foraging habits and consistent yearly blooms, the purity of commercial honey, and confirmation of geographic origins of honey ,

Techniques for Pollen Analysis
Efficacy of melissopalynology is contingent on skill set of palynologist and method of pollen extraction and analysis. Fortunately, new techniques are continuously integrated into melissopalynology to improve pollen assays.

Microscopy
Traditional melissopalynological assessments rely on microscopy for pollen identification. In microscopy, pollen granules are isolated and evaluated based on morphological characters. This arduous process necessitates expertise in pollen identification.

Machine Learning
Building on microscopy, machine learning allows for automated identification of pollen. (cite; go into how this process works)

DNA Barcoding
DNA barcoding is an evolving technique in melissopalynological studies. This process extracts DNA from pollen and amplifies certain genetic sequences that can be used to identify down to species of origin of a pollen sample.

Commercial Application
Honey assays have been important for quality control. Melissopalynology offers a methodology to combat fraud in honey labeling. Honey origin is difficult to determine without evaluating pollen. Often, this may lead to mislabeling floral resources responsible for honey.

Other contaminants may be present in commercial honey. Therefore, melissopalynology acts as a safeguard against spores, dust or harmful particles that may be in commercially available honey.

Implications for Conservation
Pollen identification from honey has important implications for conservation. Melissopalynology can be used to establish pollination networks. These networks link honeybees to visitations to floral resources, thus determining their role in pollination of a given system.