Pure wax — healthy bees and better honey

MANS studies the quality of beeswax, which plays a key role in the health and development of bee families. The wax, a natural product of the honeybee's wax glands, is the basic building block for the patches that develop the yolk and store honey and pollen. Its purity and chemical composition have a direct impact on the condition of bees and the quality of bee products.

Meaning of beeswax

The beeswax acts as a natural protective barrier, providing the appropriate microbiological conditions in the hive. It is also characterised by antibacterial properties which contribute to maintaining the stability of the nesting environment. However, pollution or counterfeit wax can disrupt this delicate ecosystem, leading to the weakening of bee colonies.

Pollution and Counterfeiting Problem

In beekeeping, paraffin and plastic adulteration of beeswax foundation is being observed increasingly often. Such adulteration reduces the biological value of wax, harms brood development, may shorten bees’ lives and can consequently reduce apiary productivity.

Modern research in MANS

To counter these threats, MANS scientists are using an innovative device WaxoNext, which enables precise analysis of the wax composition and detection of possible counterfeits. The use of this technology enables:

• control of the purity and quality of beeswax,
• support for beekeepers in the selection of safe materials,
• raising production standards for honey and other bee products.

Learning in Beekeeping Practice

Research is of practical importance – they support beekeepers in maintaining high-quality wax, which translates into bee health, proper development of bee families and high-quality honey for consumers.

The detailed results of the study were published in Scientific journal of international applied and agricultural sciences: Read article