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Bees have glands in their heads that secrete two enzymes: invertase and glucose oxidase.
Honey is formed by the reaction of these substances with nectar collected from flowers. Invertase converts sucrose – the type of sugar contained in nectar – into two other sugars: glucose and fructose. Glucose oxidase, in turn, transforms a small amount of glucose into gluconic acid, which turns the honey acidic, protecting it from bacteria that would cause it to ferment. Shaking their wings to dry the water, present in large amounts in the nectar, the bees dehydrate the honey, killing other microorganisms.
1. Making honey begins with collecting nectar from flowers. It is stored in a bag on the bee’s body and taken to the hive.
2. Glands located in the bee’s head secrete two enzymes that react with the sugar in the nectar
3. An enzyme, called invertase, transforms nectar into glucose and fructose. The other, glucose oxidase, gives it acidity, preventing its fermentation.
4. By flapping its wings, the bee dries up the excess water present in the nectar.
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