Bee Venom Characteristics

Bee venom can be found under two major forms:

- liquid, as it is immediately after extraction or when it is injected by the bee through her stinger;
- dried, after collection with special devices (bee venom collectors).

Liquid, pure, bee venom:

"Bee venom is a colourless, sharp-bitter tasting liquid with an aromatic odour that is similar to ripe bananas. It is slightly acidic (pH 5.0 to 5.5). Liquid bee venom on blue litmus paper changes the colour to red indicating an acidic reaction. However, the aqueous solution of whole dried bee venom does not show this effect, suggesting that volatile compounds create the acidic properties. Bee venom dries at an ambient temperature within about 20 minutes and loses 65% to 70% of its original weight. After the liquid has evaporated 0.1 mg. of pure whole dried venom can be collected (per bee sting)." (Michael Simics, "Bee Venom, Exploring the Healing Power", 1994, p.12).

Dried bee venom:

"The pure whole dried venom has a yellowish brown colour. The specific weight is 1.313 g/cm3. The toxicity expressed as LD50 is 2.8 mg/kg (mice, i.v.). LD50 means that 50% of the mice will die when 2.8 mg. of venom per kilogram body weight is intravenously injected into them. Bee venom is cold resistant and freezing does not seem to reduce its toxicity. It is also heat resistant when dry, even at 100°C. Dried bee venom, if protected from moisture, can retain its toxic properties for several years." (Michael Simics, "Bee Venom, Exploring the Healing Power", 1994, p.12).

A.N. Melnichenko & O.V. Kapralova:

"Dried bee venom has a polycrystalline structure. Examinations under the microscope showed that bee venom, as drops of its watery solution dry, assumes characteristic physical structure, the components comprising it being of various forms and sizes. It is not difficult to quickly determine the classification of the venom (bee venom, wasp, hornet, Eve-viper venom) based on physical structure. No chemical combination with some substance or other occurs… Bee venom is not destructible." (Munich 1969, at the XXII-Nd. Apimondia Congress).

The dried whole bee venom should have the following
organoleptical and physico-chemical properties:

colour: colourless or light grey
aspect: crystalline mass
consistency: dens
smell: irritant, characteristic (specific)
taste: sharp-astringent
purity: no impurities
solubility: soluble in water, insoluble in ammonium-sulphate and alcohol
pH: 4.5 - 5.5.

 

Methods for quality assessment:

- the aspect and the colour are appreciated visually under natural light;
- consistency: dried bee venom should have a powder-crystalline structure;
- smell and taste are assessed organoleptically;
- purity; bee venom dissolved in distilled water is a perfect solution leaving no deposit in the bottom of the receptacle;
- pH may be tested with Merck paper;
- solubility: it is soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol; it is precipitated by alkali and especially ammonia.