The Influence of the Chemical Composition of Beeswax Foundation Sheets on Their Acceptability by the Bee's Colony

Sava Ledjanac ¹, Fatjon Hoxha ², Nebojša Jasnić ³

⁰Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.

Molecules (basel, Switzerland) +

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December 17, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Beeswax foundation adulteration with paraffin is common, with detected levels up to 85.68%. However, bee colony behavior shows that quality nectar, not foundation composition, drives intensive honeycomb construction.

Area Of Science

Apiculture
Analytical Chemistry
Materials Science

Background

Beeswax is crucial for honeycomb construction, produced by worker bees.
Beekeepers use beeswax foundations, but adulteration with paraffin or tallow is a concern.
Adulteration can compromise beeswax quality and potentially harm bee colonies.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the quality of beeswax foundation from major Serbian producers.
To identify adulterants like paraffin and tallow in beeswax foundation samples.
To assess the impact of foundation quality on honeycomb construction by bees.

Main Methods

Analysis of 72 beeswax foundation samples from six producers using Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy.
Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to quantify adulterants.
Field observation of honeycomb construction using beeswax foundation sheets in beehives.

Main Results

FTIR-ATR and GC-MS detected paraffin in foundation samples, with content ranging from 19.75% to 85.68%.
No beef tallow was detected in any of the analyzed samples over a two-year period.
Honeycomb construction rates were primarily dependent on nectar availability, irrespective of foundation adulteration.

Conclusions

Significant paraffin adulteration exists in commercially available beeswax foundations.
Beeswax foundation quality, specifically adulteration levels, does not significantly influence the intensity of honeycomb construction when nectar is scarce.
The study highlights the need for stringent quality control in beeswax production to ensure authentic materials for beekeeping.

Keywords:

acceptability beeswax bee’s colony honeycomb paraffin