Antioxidants activity and physicochemical properties of honey from social bees of the Brazilian semiarid region

This study compared the nutraceutical potential of Apis mellifera and Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides honeys from the semiarid region of Bahia, Brazil, using microbiological, melissopalynological, and physicochemical techniques. Total phenols and flavonoids and the antioxidant activity were also determined. All samples had good microbiological quality and safety with an absence of coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus coagulase positive and Clostridium sulphite reducing spores. Were identified 41 pollen types belonging to 23 botanical families. Myrtaceae, Anacardiaceae, and Sapindaceae were the predominant pollen types in A. mellifera honey, while honey Malvaceae was the most representative in the M. q. anthidioides. Regarding the physicochemical parameters evaluated, 75% complied with the standards established by the Brazilian and European quality legislation. The honey samples of A. mellifera had higher values of phenolic compounds and flavonoids (260.0 to 341.51 mgGAE.kg−1 and from 114.44 to 216.29 mgQE.kg−1, respectively). The samples from M. q. anthidioides presented higher antioxidant activity. The honeys of A. mellifera and M. q. anthidioides from the semiarid regions presented distinct botanical compositions, suggesting that both species use different plant sources, which possibly influenced the parameters related to honey quality as well as the content of phenolic compounds.We thank the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq) under Grant (305885/2017 to C.A.L.C.). This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. We also thank the State of Bahia Research Foundation (Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia - FAPESB) under Grant 8797/2015.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pollen spectrum of honey of Apis mellifera L. and stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from the semi-arid region of Bahia State, Brazil

Pollen in honey reflects its botanical origin and melissopalynology is used to identify origin, type, and quantities of pollen grains of the botanical species visited by bees. This study aimed to identify the pollen spectrum of honeys from Apis mellifera and stingless bees produced in the semi-arid region of Bahia, Brazil. We analysed 78 honey samples, which were submitted to the acetolysis process for identification and quantification of pollen types. Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae were the most predominant families in pollen types. For Fabaceae, the most representative pollen types were Chamaecrista 1, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, Mimosa pudica, Mimosa tenuiflora, Prosopis and Senna. The results indicate that the flora explored by the bees to collect nectar is diverse in the semi-arid region of Bahia and the honeys analysed were classified as multifloral.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of Beekeeping: An Analysis Using the Technique of Principal Components

Beekeeping is an economic activity of the Brazilian agricultural sector and a powerful tool to achieve sustainable development. However, beekeeping still remains a modest activity compared to other areas, with a lack of technical knowledge and beekeeping practices that need to be standardized. This study represents a proposal for the diagnosis of beekeeping, to facilitate decision-making and to provide a faster development of the beekeeping activity. We investigated the process of adoption of beekeeping practices of 28 beekeepers and the quality of the honey produced by them in the Western region of Paraná, using the technique of Principal Components Analysis after the construction of apicultural indexes. Specifically, the honey produced in the Western region of Paraná be included in the requirements of national and international legislation, but the beekeeping practices adopted still require standardization so that the beekeepers have higher honey production. Also, the transformation of variables into apicultural indexes for later use in the analysis of principal components proved to be efficient to draw a beekeeping profile. Our research proves to be efficient in accurately diagnosing beekeeping bottlenecks, which may enable better decision-making and thus attract new entrepreneurs and increase their relevance to achieve sustainable rural development