A scientist at the Laboratory analizes the pollen in a sample. At the Laboratory of Palynology and Paleoecology of the Instituto Botánico de Barcelona (IBB), a joint center of the CSIC and the Barcelona Council, scientists analyze honey: they study the physical, chemical and palynological properties, as well as sensory properties. This service offers the honey producers and distributors the possibility of certifying the botanical origin and the quality of the honey.
In the lab, the specific analysis determine the pH, conductivity and water content of the honey, as well as the HMF (Hydroximetilfurfural) concentrations. The last is a compound which provides information about the freshness of the honey and that producers are obliged to analyse.
Pollen analysis allows one to certify whether the honey comes from eucalyptus, orange or any other of the existing varieties
Also, palinological analysis (pollen analysis) allows one to certify whether the honey comes from eucalyptus, orange or rosemary flowers, or any other of the many existing varieties. The sensory analysis (colour, taste, smell) and consumption recommendations conclude the analysis. In the lab, others bee products can be analysed, such as royal jelly, corbicular pollen, pollen bread or wax.
Paleoecology: reconstructing the past through the pollen
Nevertheless, the main research line of this lab is the reconstruction of past vegetation and landscape, which is possible through the analysis of pollen and other fossils. It is aimed at understanding the relation between the past landscape and climatic changes, human activities and any other factor that potentially can modify the environment. Paleoecology is, nowadays, an essential tool to improve predictions of the possible consequences of climatic change on the ecosystems, as it unveils how organisms responded in the past to climatic changes.
The samples analysed have diverse origins (peat bogs, lake sediments, outcrops, or archaeological and paleontological sites) and in them microfossiles such as pollen, spores, and remains of fungi, algae, animals and plants remains, or charcoal. Among the recent works, the RECREO project can be highlighted, aimed at reconstructing the history of the Pyrenean forests, in order to improve their management and to predict their responses to climate change. They also work in the reconstruction of the past vegetation in the Neotropic, the Easter Island and the Açores Islands.
Another service of the Laboratory is biostratigraphy. In this case, pollen and spores present in the rocks are analysed in order to characterize the rocks and the age of the strata. This service is aimed at industries working on exploration and exploitation of subsurface natural resources, as well as at researchers and institutions interested in the field.
Contact:
Laboratory of Palinology and Paleoecology (PALAB)
Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB), Passeig del Migdia s/n,
08038 Barcelona, Spain
Tel. +34 93 2890611
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