What is PD CEN/TS 16817-2-Pollen monitoring about?
PD CEN/TS 16817 discusses pollen monitoring. PD CEN/TS 16817-2 is the second part of PD CEN/TS 16817 multi-series and discusses biological pollen sampling using bee colonies.
PD CEN/TS 16817-2 describes a procedure through which pollen, in particular pollen of genetically modified organisms (GMO) – can be sampled by means of bee colonies.
Honey, pollen load and bee-bread may be used as sample matrices for the subsequent analysis of pollen as it is possible to concentrate sufficient amounts of pollen for microscopic and molecular biological diagnostics.
Who is PD CEN/TS 16817-2- Pollen monitoring for?
PD CEN/TS 16817-2 on pollen monitoring is useful for:
- Honey manufacturers
- Beekeepers
- Environmental scientists
- Environmental engineers
Why should you use PD CEN/TS 16817-2- Pollen monitoring?
Bee colonies, especially the foraging bees, actively roam an area and are therefore area related
samplers. Pollen sampling depends on the collection activity of the bees and the availability of pollen sources within the spatial zone according to the bees' preferences (supply of melliferous plants). A colony of bees normally forages over an area of up to 5 km radius (median 1,6 km, mean 2,2 km), in rare cases some bees may also forage in greater distances up to 10 km and more.
Microscopic analysis is used to identify the various pollen types and to quantify the exposure to the target pollen types in question. GMO exposure is analysed by molecular-biological methods: For analysis of pollen DNA, quantitative PCR methods are used and described in PD CEN/TS 16817-2. PD CEN/TS 16817-2 helps you with the biological sampling system by using honeybee colonies.