Researchers from the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin have developed an invention that will contribute to improving the condition of bee colonies and to reducing losses in honey production resulting from improper attachment of the wax foundation by bees or due to its runoff.

The invention of UMCS scientists is a portable electromechanical device that allows performing wax analysis, e.g. beeswax, for the presence of added impurities.

The device allows to determine the quality of the tested beeswax in relation to the presence of artificial admixtures and assess its suitability, quickly and in a relatively cheap way.

The principle of the device has been described in three international patent applications. The authors of the invention are university employees: Prof. Mariusz Gagoś from the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Dr Marek Pietrow and Dr Jan Wawryszczuk from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University.