I'm trying to find out where melezitose is currently sourced from. I don't mean what manufacturer, but rather what biological source. Many years ago, it was made/isolated from melezitose honey, or so-called "cement honey." Is that still the case? Sources/citations would be great - thanks!
I believe insects are the biological source. Kinda makes sense because it being ioslated from honey like you mentioned probably came from honey bees.
Melezitose, also spelled melicitose, is a nonreducing trisaccharide sugar that is produced by many plant sap eating insects, including aphids such as Cinara pilicornis by an enzyme reaction. This is beneficial to the insects, as it reduces the stress of osmosis by reducing their own water potential. The melezitose is part of the honeydew which acts as an attractant for ants and also as a food for bees. This is useful to the lice as they have a symbiotic relationship with ants. Melezitose can be partially hydrolyzed to glucose and turanose the latter of which is an isomer of sucrose.