Mesindussaadused

Mesindussaadused refer to products derived from the activity of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and other related bee species. These products are collected, processed, and utilized by humans for various purposes. The most well-known mesindussaadused include honey, beeswax, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly.

Honey is a sweet, viscous substance produced by bees from flower nectar. It is primarily composed of sugars, mainly fructose and glucose, along with water, enzymes, minerals, and vitamins. Honey has been used as a food source and a medicinal agent for centuries. Beeswax is a natural wax produced by worker bees from glands on their abdomens. It is used in a wide range of applications, including candles, cosmetics, polishes, and pharmaceuticals.

Bee pollen is the protein-rich dust collected by bees from flowers. It is considered a nutrient-dense food supplement, containing amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Propolis, also known as bee glue, is a resinous mixture that bees collect from tree buds and sap. It is used by bees to seal gaps in their hives and to protect against pathogens. Humans utilize propolis for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, often in health supplements and topical treatments. Royal jelly is a secretion produced by the glands of young worker bees and is fed to all larvae in the colony, especially to queen bee larvae. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids and is marketed as a dietary supplement. The collection and use of these mesindussaadused are integral to apiculture, the practice of beekeeping.