> Would anyone have any idea of what could be the source of this phenol
> present in honey?
> Last test I saw reveals concentration of 0,02 to 0,09 mg/kg.One sample had
> 0,22 ppm.

We have a similar situation in NZ.   See the following abstract.  Doesn't say
what the source is, but does say it is natural.  In this case samples were
taken from wild hives, some of which were dug out of the ground (yes, in the
honeydew area, Apis m, m are observed taking over old wasp nest holes in the
ground).  It was concluded that this is a natural source from somewhere in
the environment.  No samples were taken at the nectar level.

Regards
Peter Bray

______________________________

Beckh-G; Lullmann-C
Phenol as a natural component in New Zealand honeydew honeys. OT: Phenol -
ein naturlicher Bestandteil neuseelandischen Waldhonigs?
Deutsche-Lebensmittel-Rundschau. 1998, 94: 5, 149-152; 19 ref.  1998

Many different phenolic substances are known as characteristic components of
honey responsible for the honey-specific or source-specific flavour and
taste. Phenol itself is generally considered as a residue of bee repellents.
Maximum limits for phenol in honey are discussed between experts and the
trade. In New Zealand honeydew honeys produced by the beech scale insect,
Ultracoelostoma assimile on Nothofagus sp., phenol can be found at
concentrations up to 0.2 ppm. Phenol in small amounts (<0.2 ppm) should be
considered as a natural component of this type of honey. The origin of
phenols in honeys are discussed. DE: honeydew-; secretions-; honey-; phenolic-
compounds; chemical-composition; animal-physiology; forest-trees;
agricultural-entomology OD: Nothofagus-; Margarodidae-; arthropods- GE: New-
Zealand ID: Ultracoelostoma-assimile; Ultracoelostoma BT: Fagaceae; Fagales;
dicotyledons; angiosperms; Spermatophyta; plants; Coccoidea; Sternorrhyncha;
Homoptera; Hemiptera; insects; arthropods; invertebrates; animals;
Australasia; Oceania; Commonwealth-of-Nations; Developed-Countries; OECD-
Countries; Margarodidae CC: KK100; QQ070 CD: Forestry-General; Other-Produce
PT: Journal-article IS: 0012-0413 UD: 990116


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