author(s)
Dr. MV Balasubramanyam

abstract
Variations in vitamins characteristics of multifloral honey of dwarf honey bee, A. florea (wild) and Indian hivebee, A. cerana indica (apiary) from different regions of Karnataka were elucidated and demonstrated. The studies indicate fluctuations in vitamin contents in plains, hills and Western Ghats of Karnataka. Six vitamins viz., thiamine (B₁), riboflavin (B₂), niacin (B₃), panthothenic acid (B₅), pyridoxine (B₆) and ascorbic acid (C) were analyzed in honey of wild and apiary honeybees. B₁ (0.07 µ gms) and B₆ (1.80 µ gms) of A.florea honey was minimum and maximum from hills and Western Ghats respectively. Similarly A.cerana honey had lowest of B₅ (0.08 µ gms) and highest of B₆ (1.62 µ gms) from hills and Western Ghats respectively. B₂ (0.12 µ gms - 0.20 µ gms), C (1.32 µ gms - 1.55 µ gms) and B₃ (0.43 µ gms – 0.55 µ gms) of honey demonstrated variations in wild and apiary honeybees. The vitamin C and B₆ of honey was significant at 1% (p<0.01) level in plains, hills and western ghats while B₁, B₂, B₃ and B₅ of honey were not significant at 1% (p<0.01) level in plains, hills and Western Ghats of Karnataka. All the six vitamins tested in A.florea and A.cerana displayed quantitative variableness s in different geographical areas which are discussed in ensuing paper.