Abstract
This study was conducted at the apiary of the Agricultural and Veterinary Training and Research Station, King Faisal University in the Al-Ahsa oasis of eastern Saudi Arabia during sidir (Ziziphus spp.) flow season. Amounts of mineral elements in Ziziphus spp. honey produced by Apis florea F. were determined in comparison to honey from the same botanical origin and produced by two domesticated honey bee subspecies; A. mellifera carnica Pollmann (imported bees), and A. m. jemenitica Ruttner (indigenous bees). The highest amounts of ash, potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were found in honey produced by A. florea. The largest amounts of magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were obtained from honey produced by A. m. jemenitica. Potassium was the most important mineral in Ziziphus spp. honey and the values ranged between 41.35% to 49.85% of the total mineral elements. Combretaceae was the main pollen floral resource and contributed 63%, 54% and 51% of total pollen in Ziziphus spp. honey from A. m. jemenitica, A. m. carnica and A. florea colonies, respectively. It was concluded that the amounts of mineral elements in honey can be correlated with the species of honey bees produced the honey.