What is HMF and its effect on bees?
HMF (Hydroxymethylfurfural) – Definition
HMF, or Hydroxymethylfurfural, is a cyclic aldehyde formed by the dehydration of sugars like fructose and glucose in acidic environments. It can also result from Maillard reactions. This substance occurs naturally in honey in very small amounts. Low HMF is crucial for bee health, as higher concentrations can be harmful.
Causes of HMF formation
HMF formation is accelerated at higher temperatures, and the reaction rate increases proportionally with temperature. Therefore, careful storage and handling of honey is necessary to prevent HMF buildup. Fresh natural honey contains less than 1 mg/kg of HMF, but levels can quickly rise at temperatures above 20°C.
Key influencing factors:
Temperature
pH value
Acid and moisture content
Exposure to light
Problems with homemade sugar syrup for bees
How does high temperature affect sugar syrup?
When preparing sugar syrup at home, high cooking temperatures often occur, accelerating HMF formation. Elevated HMF levels can be toxic to bees, leading to serious health problems in the colony.
Consequences for bees
Bees are sensitive to high levels of HMF. Consuming syrup with excessive HMF can result in bee mortality. It is therefore critical to use products specifically formulated for bees with extremely low HMF levels — well below harmful thresholds.
HMF as an indicator of honey quality
Originally, HMF was used to detect adulteration of honey with inverted sugar syrup. Later, it was discovered that naturally heated honey can also have elevated HMF levels. Today, HMF is considered an indicator of improper storage and processing.
Permitted HMF levels in honey:
In Croatia and under Codex Alimentarius: up to 40 mg/kg
In tropical countries: up to 80 mg/kg, due to climate conditions
HoneyBee Pro Fondants – For Bee Health
German enzymatic technology for low HMF
HoneyBee Pro fondants are produced using advanced German enzyme technology, which minimizes HMF formation during production. This ensures our products are exceptionally safe for bees, preserving their health and productivity. Thanks to this method, the HMF level in HoneyBee Pro fondants is far below any harmful threshold.
Advantages of HoneyBee Pro Fondants
Low HMF content: Enzymatic technology ensures significantly lower HMF than competitive products.
Safe feeding: Ideal for colder months when bees need additional nutrition, without the risk of high HMF effects.
High nutritional value: In addition to low HMF, our fondants contain all necessary nutrients to support bees’ immune systems and longevity.
Api Energy – Low-HMF Syrup
Along with fondants, our Api Energy syrup is specially developed for bee feeding, with exceptionally low HMF content. It is the ideal solution for beekeepers who want to provide safe and high-quality nutrition during the summer/autumn season, ensuring sufficient winter food reserves after the last honey harvest.