Role of Different Enzymes in Nectar to Honey Transformations in Indigenous Rockbee, Apis dorsata F.

Enzymes form integral part and play decisive role in biological metabolism and systems. The present studies delve on the role of enzymes viz., invertase, amylase, glucose oxidase and catalase in nectar-honey transformation in indigenous rock bee Apis dorsata F during February, 2022 to January 2023.

Five stages in transformation of honey from nectar of flower comprises floral nectar (fn), honey crop of foragers (hf), honey crop of house bees (hh), unsealed honey cells (uh) and sealed honey cells (sh). Invertase levels in fn and sh cells were (0.00ml) and (42.40 ml), respectively. Similarly, amylase was lowest in the fn (0.00ml) and highest in the sh (16.01 ml). Glucose oxidase levels in fn and sh cells were (0.00ml) and (6.68 ml), respectively. Catalase was lowest in the fn (0.00ml) and highest in the sh (4.96 ml).

The analysis of variance of invertase and amylase was significant at 1% level (p<0.01), whereas glucose oxidase and catalase was not significant at 1% level (p<0.01).

The sources of all enzymes, according to the finding, are found in the hypopharyngeal, post-cerebral, thoracic, labial, and mandibular glands of foragers and house bees.