MICROBIAL QUALITY OF HONEY MIXTURE WITH POLLEN

The aim of this study was evaluation of microbial quality in raw materials (honey, pollen) and evaluation of microbial quality in honey mixture with pollen (2.91 % and 3.85 %) and also dynamics of microbial groups in honey mixtures with pollen after 14 days storage at the room temperature (approximately 25 °C) and in cold store (8 °C). We used dilution plating method for testing of samples. Detections of total plate microbial count (aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms), sporulating bacteria, coliform bacteria, Bifidobacterium sp., Lactobacillus sp. and microscopic fungi were performed. In general, counts of microorganisms decreased in honey mixture with pollen compared to raw pollen and these counts increased compared to natural honey. Total plate count was 5.37 log KTJ.g-1 in pollen; 1.36 log KTJ.g-1 in honey; 2.97 log KTJ.g-1 in honey mixture with 2.91 % pollen and 2.04 log KTJ.g-1 in honey mixture with 3.85 % pollen. Coliform bacteria were detected in pollen (1.77 log KTJ.g-1). Then, we found coliform bacteria in one sample of honey mixtures with pollen (2.91 %) - 1.00 log KTJ.g-1.Bifidobacterium species were detected only in raw pollen. We did not findLactobacillus sp. in any of the samples. Microscopic fungi were detected on two cultivating media. Yeasts were present in pollen sample (average 5.39 log KTJ.g-1), honey mixture with 2.91 % pollen (average 2.51 log KTJ.g-1) and honey mixture with 3.85 % pollen (