Diversity, botanical origin, and valorization potential of honeys from Lower Guinea, Guinea: A systematic descriptive review
Paper Details
Diversity, botanical origin, and valorization potential of honeys from Lower Guinea, Guinea: A systematic descriptive review
Abstract
Lower Guinea (Maritime Guinea) comprises mangrove systems, gallery and secondary forests, coastal savannas, and agricultural mosaics that may support a diverse melliferous flora. However, the scientific characterization of honeys produced in this region remains fragmentary, limiting quality certification, traceability, and market valorization. This review critically synthesizes available scientific and technical evidence on honeys produced, or potentially produced, in Lower Guinea, focusing on botanical and geographical origin, melissopalynological signatures, physicochemical quality, sensory attributes, bioactive composition, biological properties, production practices, authentication challenges, and valorization prospects. A systematic descriptive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, FAO/Codex resources, and Guinean institutional reports, complemented by evidence from ecologically analogous West and Central African contexts because Guinea-specific literature is scarce. Available evidence suggests that the ecological heterogeneity of Lower Guinea and the foraging ecology of Apis mellifera adansonii may support distinct honey categories, including mangrove-associated, forest, savanna, and polyfloral honeys. Comparative studies from Benin, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon indicate that botanical origin and production practices strongly influence honey quality. However, melissopalynological reference data, physicochemical profiles, bioactive and antimicrobial characterization, and authentication frameworks specific to Lower Guinea remain largely unavailable. Establishing an integrated analytical pipeline combining melissopalynology, physicochemical analyses, and modern authentication tools is therefore essential for future quality certification, geographical indication strategies, and sustainable valorization of Guinean honey.
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Aude Eminsédé Kelomey*, Jean Loua, Steven Chokki, Ibrahima Kalil Sylla, Doumbouya Almamy Daouda, Elhadj Saidou Balde, 2026. Diversity, botanical origin, and valorization potential of honeys from Lower Guinea, Guinea: A systematic descriptive review. Int. J. Biosci., 29(4), 1-13.
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