From: Erik Osterlund <honeybee@elgon.se>
Date: Tue Dec 19, 2000 10:39am
Subject: Re: test

Hi Doc Dee

When I was in China -93 they informed that one of the quality tests was to
check the amount of a certain acid. This certain acid content and amount of
jelly they being able to produce was different in different colonies.
therefore they were able to select among colonies for this trait they
wanted, and they did. So in China, where royal jelly is a very big issue,
they have stocks selected for high percentage of this acid and high amount
of jelly produced. Now, what about the size of these bees and queens I
don't know. Maybe it's possible to find out. I have some contacts I can try
out when times permit.

Erik Osterlund

>Well what can I say. I have asked Dr Erickson that very question. Why is the
>colour varied from pearly white to sometimes pale yellow, and do the
>components change, etc. Well they do slightly. But where is the research? To
>make a bigger bee certain things have to change. Also to make a queen vs a
>worker, vs a drone!
>
>Comments!
>
>Dee
>
>
>> Dee:
>> I thought that royal jelly by definition could not vary, if it does change
>composition then it becomes something else; at the very least diluted if not
>adulterated by the bees, which is impossible?! or is it!
>>
>> Doc