Influence of the land use of the foraging area on the physico-chemical
properties of the honey of the honey bee, Apis mellifera , in the urban
and peri-urban landscape of Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo
Abstract
From March to September 2022, a study on the influence of the land use
of the foraging area on the physicochemical properties and the bacterial
load of honey from the honey bee, Apis meillifera , in the urban and
peri-urban landscape of the city of Butembo was carried out; in North
Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study focused on 4
beehives including 2 in urban areas (CEFADES and Mavono) and 2 in
peri-urban areas (Musienene and Bunyuka). Analyzes of physicochemical
parameters of honey samples collected from these beehives revealed a pH
value varying between 3.93 and 4.2; an electrical conductivity between
1.22 and 1.02 (x 10 -3 mS /cm); a sugar content between 82.5 and 78
degrees Brix and a density whose value was between 1.79 and 2.02 g/cm 3
. The analysis of land cover revealed 3 main classes (afforestation,
crop field class and bare land and built-up class) whose importance
varies from one site to another. The canonical correspondence analyzes
revealed that the afforestation (in eucalyptus) positively influences
the pH of the honey; that of crop fields influences the water content of
honey while bare land influences the density of honey. On the other
hand, the sugar content is not influenced by the land use in the
foraging area. Ultimately, land use influences the chemical composition
of honey.