Characterization of Apple Nectar Sugars in Selected Commercial and Crab Apple Cultivars
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71318/apom.1990.44.3.136Keywords:
Malus domestica, Malusspp., high performance thin layer chromatographyAbstract
Nectar samples from commercial and crab apple cultivars were examined by high performance thin layer chromatography to determine qualitative and quantitative differences in constituent sugars. Crab apple nectar sugars ranged from 40 to 85% sucrose, with a mean of 60%. Mean glucose and fructose proportions were 18 and 23%, respectively. Most commercial apple cultivars evaluated had similar composition to the crab apple cultivars; however, ‘Redchief Delicious,’ ‘Golden Delicious,’ and ‘Royal Gala’ had nearly equal amounts of sucrose and hexose. Variability in nectar sugar composition among commercial and crab apple cultivars suggests a potential influence on honeybee foraging behavior.
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