Honey Origins through eDNA profiling of the Plant Species by Apis cerana and Heterotrigona itama at Karangasem District, Bali Island
The honey derived from Apis cerana, the Asian honey bee, as well as Heterotrigona itama, the stingless bee indigenous to Southeast Asia, adds to the diverse range of flavours and attributes present in Indonesia. Apis cerana, found extensively over Asia, including Indonesia, produces honey with a vast range of flavours influenced by the many plant sources visited by the bees. This honey frequently exhibits aromatic characteristics derived from the nectar of various wildflowers, fruit blossoms, and other flowering plants found in the local area. Conversely, the stingless bee Heterotrigona itama makes honey that is characterised by its characteristic acidic or sour flavours, which are determined by the specific flowers it visits and the unique composition of the nectar it collects. The honey derived from both species not only exhibits the distinct foraging behaviours and preferences of the bees but also exemplifies the abundant and varied floral resources found on Bali Island. Utilising molecular markers such as the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2), research can provide valuable insights into the botanical origins and genetic diversity of the honey produced by these two bee species. This contributes to a more profound understanding of Bali distinctive honey and its ecological context.