organic production system and irradiation technology in the production of safe and quality bee...

Organic Production System and Irradiation Technology in the

Production of Safe and Quality Bee Products

Zenaida M. De GuzmanSupervising Science Research Specialist

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

A Collaborative Project between

Department of Science and Technology –

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and

the Bee Network Foundation Philippines

funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural

Research entitled,

“Promotion and Utilization of Organic

Production System and Irradiation

Technology in the Production of Safe and

Quality Bee Products”

Rationale:

1. Address the need for standard or certified

honey and other hive-derived products as

indicated by potential end-users of the

developed biomedical materials.

2. Sustainable quality honey and propolis

Thus, the project aims to:

Enhance the safety and quality of honey bee

products through the use of organic production

system and irradiation technology

Mass production of Stingless Bees

(Tetragonula biroi) using organic production

system

Quality bee products consistent with organic

agriculture

Develop commercially viable product from

organic honey

Utilization of irradiation technology to ensure

products free from microorganism.

Organic Agriculture

Under R.A. 10068

Organic Agriculture includes all agricultural

systems that promote the ecologically sound,

socially acceptable, economically viable and

technically feasible production of food and

fibers.

Drivers for Organic Products

Factors include, but not limited to...

Increasing demand for healthier food

alternatives

Increasing food demand and security

Sustainability of products

Apiary Site Selection

Apiary sites will be established in an area

where pesticides are not known to be used.

It should be at least 3 km away from the farms

using inorganic inputs

International Standard related to

Organic Apiaries

NOSB 2010 Apiculture Recommendation

General guideline – Managing in a manner

that prevents contact with prohibited materials.

Forage zone – land or bodies of water, within

a 1.8 mile (3 km) radius of the edge of the

apiary which provides bees with water, nectar,

honeydew, pollen and propolis

Map of the apiary will show the location of the

hives, the forage zone including the location of

organic and wild lands, and the surveillance

zone, including the location of all non-organic

areas and human housing.

Apiary Site SelectionThe selected sites are:

Sta. Maria, Laguna (main site)

Lobo, Batangas

Sites were chosen since there are existing

organic farms in the area that are tied with the

Department of Agriculture.

Selection of more than one site is done to back-

up the main site and to ensure sustainability of

the project.

Distance of the apiary from farms utilizing

pesticides and industrial sites should be at least

500 meters.

Site Map (Sta. Maria, Laguna)

Site Map (Lobo, Batangas)

Site Map (Gumaca, Quezon)

Site Visit (Sta. Maria, Laguna)

Site visit during the selection (upper pictures) and the apiary site

after setting up the hives (lower pictures).

Site Visit (Lobo, Batangas)



Site Visit (Gumaca, Quezon)



Purpose of Site Validation

Validating the apiary site consistent with

the organic agriculture system will not

only

Provides assurance of the quality of its

hived-derived products such as Honey

and Propolis as organic but also

Provides confidence to the stakeholders

of its marketability and subsequent

adoption by other beekeepers.

Quality of Hive-Derived Products from the Apiaries

Minimum requirements for medical grade stingless bee honeyStandard hives for bees

should be used:

For easy management of

the colonies, and

To provide adequate

space to accommodate

growing bee population

and food storage

Harvesting and ProcessingWhat should be considered during harvesting and processing of hive-derived products?

Should be synchronized with the honey flow season,

Materials for harvesting should be prepared prior to harvesting, and

Should be food grade quality

Honey pots are removed from the honey supers. Slice into small cubes

Press or allow to drip, then strain

Settle for at least one night

Place honey in clean, sterile container.

Harvesting and Processing Cut 1x1 cm propolis

sheath around the nest

Store in airtight

containers

Place in dark place,

away from excessive

heat.

Place dried propolis

inside freezer to

prevent mold growth.

Hive-Derived Products harvested from the Apiary Site

HONEY PROPOLIS

Quality Testing

Microbiological AnalysisThe microbial load of honey was found to be within the acceptable limit for food for 2 consecutive testing (every 6 months).

Heavy Metal AnalysisThe heavy metal (Ni, Pb, Cd, Fe and Zn) content of both honey and propolis were found to be less than or almost the same with the limit of detection using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The heavy metal content of both samples were found within the acceptable limit for food for 3 consecutive testing (every 3 months)

Quality Testing

Pesticide Residue Analysis

The pesticide residue (organophosphates)

content of both honey and propolis were found to

be less than minimum detection limit using gas

chromatography. The pesticide residue

(organophosphate) of both samples were found

within the acceptable limit for food for 3

consecutive testing (every 3 months)

Conduct of Local Training for Good

Beekeeping Practices

Purpose of the Training:

To promote stingless bee propagation and

product processing,

To assist local beekeepers and bee enthusiasts in

setting up their own meliponiaries to provide

livelihood opportunities, and

To boost the beekeeping industry in the selected

region/provinces.

General Program:

Training on Stingless Bee

Propagation and Product

Processing1st Day (Morning) 1st Day (Afternoon) - 2nd Day

(Morning)

Importance of bees and

other pollinators

Identification of the different stages

of bee development

Different species of bees Hive design

Hive products and their

properties

Seasonal Management

Bee Biology and Behavior Bee Product Harvesting and

Processing

Why we need honey and

propolis?

- Development of Honey-

alginate wound dressing for

exudating wounds.

Apiary Management (Practicum)

- Actual harvesting and processing

- Product processing for value-

adding

(soap and lip balm making)



Processing

Training conducted in Bulusan, Sorsogon last April 11-12, 2017



Processing

Training conducted in Baco, Oriental Mindoro last April 17-18,

2017



Processing

Training conducted in Buenavista, Marinduque last May 10,

2017

Use of Local Honey and Irradiation Technology in the Development of Wound

Dressing

PHILIPPINE

NUCLEAR RESEARCH

INSTITUTE

The PNRI is Mandated to:

• Conduct research and development on the application of radiation and nuclear materials, processes and techniques inagriculture, food, health, nutrition and medicine and in industryand environment;

• Undertake the transfer of research results to end-usersincluding technical extension and training services;

• Operate and maintain nuclear research reactors and otherradiation facilities; and

• License and regulate activities relative to production, transfer and utilization of nuclear and radioactive substances.

PNRI Gamma Irradiation Facility

Inside CO-60 IRRADIATION Room

PNRI Electron Beam Facility

Physicochemical Laboratory Microbiology Laboratory

Radiation Processing Laboratory

Current Works:

Antimicrobial analysis of the different types of

Honey on pathogenic microorganism found in skin

infection.

Stingless bee honey showed the lowest MIC

(minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC

(minimum bactericidal concentration) for S. aureus and

P. aeruginosa as compared to Manuka Honey and

Coconut Honey.

Stingless bee honey showed the highest

antibacterial activity

Maybe due to its high flavonoid content.

Use of Hive-Derived Products for the

Development of Commercially Viable

Products for Agriculture

Current Works:

Development of Edible Coating Material for Fruits

and Vegetables.

Initial assessment on the potential of propolis

ethanolic extract (PEE) as fruit coating material

revealed significantly reduced water loss (from the 7th

– 14th day of storage) in banana fruits.

Future works:

Development and testing of edible coating material

for high value agricultural products.

Assessment of the antibacterial property of

radiation-treated Stingless bee honey

Use of hive-derived products for medical

application.

THANK

YOU

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