Production and characterization of mead from the honey of Melipona scutellaris stingless bees

The Institute of Brewing & Distilling Mead is a traditional alcoholic beverage obtained by fermenting must and can offer a solution to honey over-production and a way of valorizing honey of lower quality. The purpose of this study was to produce and characterize mead with different levels of sugars and alcohol obtained from honey from Melipona scutellaris. The honey used for mead preparation was analysed in order to ensure that it met the required quality standards. It was found that the alcoholic content and volatile acidity were outwith the limits established by Brazilian law. Mead legislation is based on the product obtained from Apis mellifera (‘honey bee’) honey and these results indicate the need to re-evaluate the standards established for this product in order to incorporate mead produced from honey from stingless bees of the genus Melipona. Copyright © 2018 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling.We thank the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) for granting a scholarship of the Institutional Program of Scholarships of Doctorate Sandwich Abroad to Samira Maria Peixoto Cavalcante da Silva, financial support for the project and a scholarship granted to Leticia M. Estevinho. We also thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) for a research scholarship granted to Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho. We thank the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, in particular to the Laboratory of Microbiology, for the development of the work. This work was supported by the strategic programme UID/BIA/04050/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007569) funded by national funds through the FCT IP and by the ERDF through the COMPETE2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sensorial profile of Apis mellifera’s honeys produced by familiar farmers in Iguape Bay, Bahia, Brazil

Sensory proprieties of the honeys are amongst the main parameters for its quality determination, with sensory analysis working as a tool for measurement and quantification of the product characteristics by human senses. Sensorial quality control considers attributes as color, scent, flavor and consistency. These attributes are always interlinked and depend on volatile substances that are related to the original scents of flowers where the nectar was collected. Scent and flavor are directly related to honey’s color and mainly depend on its floral origin. This work had the objective to discern the sensory profiles of Apis mellifera honey produced by familiar farmers from the Iguape bay, in Bahia, Brazil. A total of 11 A. mellifera honey samples were obtained from beekeepers and processed in the Laboratory of the Nucleus for Insect Studies (INSECTA) of the Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas at Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia in Cruz das Almas, Bahia. The sensorial analysis performed by the 50 consumers, revealed that the acceptance of honey was higher in the Caonge’s community and significantly different from the obtained in the Engenho Vitória’s community

HLA-DR and HLA-DQ alleles in patients from the south of Brazil: markers for leprosy susceptibility and resistance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many epidemiological studies have shown that the genetic factors of the host play a role in the variability of clinical response to infection caused by <it>M. leprae</it>. With the purpose of identifying genes of susceptibility, the present study investigated the possible role of HLA-DRB1 and DQA1/DQB1 alleles in susceptibility to leprosy, and whether they account for the heterogeneity in immune responses observed following infection in a Southern Brazilian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and sixty-nine leprosy patients and 217 healthy controls were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and reverse hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes and sequence-specific primers(One Lambda^®, CA, USA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a positive association of HLA-DRB1*16 (*1601 and *1602) with leprosy <it>per se </it>(7.3% <it>vs</it>. 3.2%, <it>P </it>= 0.01, OR = 2.52, CI = 1.26–5.01), in accord with previous serological studies, which showed DR2 as a marker of leprosy. Although, HLA-DQA1*05 frequency (29.8% <it>vs</it>. 20.9%, <it>P </it>= 0.0424, OR = 1.61, CI = 1.09–2.39) was higher in patients, and HLA-DQA1*02 (3.0% <it>vs</it>. 7.5%, <it>P </it>= 0.0392, OR = 0.39, CI = 0.16 – 0.95) and HLA-DQA1*04 (4.0% <it>vs</it>. 9.1%, <it>P </it>= 0.0314, OR = 0.42, CI = 0.19 – 0.93) frequencies lower, <it>P</it>-values were not significant after the Bonferroni's correction. Furthermore, HLA-DRB1*1601 (9.0% <it>vs</it>. 1.8%; <it>P </it>= 0.0016; OR = 5.81; CI = 2.05–16.46) was associated with susceptibility to borderline leprosy compared to control group, and while HLA-DRB1*08 (11.2% <it>vs</it>. 1.2%; <it>P </it>= 0.0037; OR = 12.00; CI = 1.51 – 95.12) was associated with susceptibility to lepromatous leprosy, when compared to tuberculoid leprosy, DRB1*04 was associated to protection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data confirm the positive association of HLA-DR2 (DRB1*16) with leprosy <it>per se</it>, and the protector effect of DRB1*04 against lepromatous leprosy in Brazilian patients.</p

Use of the electronic tongue as a tool for the characterization of Melipona scutellaris Latreille honey

This study aimed to characterize honey of Melipona scutellaris regarding its physicochemical parameters using the electronic tongue (e-tongue) technique combined with the multivariate statistical analysis for honey differentiation. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated following official methods of chemical analyses. A potentiometric electronic tongue with 16 cross-sensitivity sensors was used for the analysis. The Principal Component Analysis and the Cluster Analysis distinguished two groups for the sample set in the evaluation of physicochemical parameters, similar to results found using the electronic tongue. We verified a correlation greater than 0.70 between the profile of potentiometric signals and values of pH, ashes, electrical conductivity, HMF, diastase activity, reducing sugars, and apparent sucrose. The combined use of the electronic tongue with the statistical analysis showed the similarity between samples through the formation of two groups of the sample set. The electronic tongue may be used as a complement to traditional techniques of analyses to determine honey physicochemical parameters, constituting a promising tool in association with the multivariate statistical analysis.This study was financed in part by the “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil” (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 and by the “Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia” (FAPESB) - under grant PAM0004/2014. We thank “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico” (CNPq) for the scholarship granted to CALC (No. 305885/2017-0).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical composition and biological activities of mono- and heterofloral bee pollen of different geographical origins

Recent research shows variations in pollen chemical constituents and, consequently, in their therapeutic properties. Mono and multifloral bee pollen extracts were investigated for antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity properties, phenolic compounds and fatty acid composition. Generally, Eucalyptus spp. and multifloral extracts exhibited potent inhibitory activity against -amylase, acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, lipoxygenase, lipase and hyaluronidase. On the other hand, Miconia spp. demonstrated higher antihemolytic activity. Cocos nucifera and Miconia spp. extracts exhibited important antioxidant properties in the different assays (ABTS, DPPH, -carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power). Moreover, these extracts had greater amounts of total phenols and flavonoids in comparison to others. The increase in antioxidant activity (decrease in EC50 values) was accompanied by an increase in the amount of total phenols in the extracts. The pollen extracts contained linoleic acid and -linolenic acid as major fatty acids, followed by palmitic acid, and oleic acid. In this study, differences were observed in both chemical constituents and biological activities of the samples related to the geographical and botanical origin of bee pollen.We thank the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-CAPES) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico-CNPq) for a scholarship granted to Jucilene Silva Araújo (CAPES), for a research scholarship granted to Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho (CNPq), financial support for the project and scholarship (CAPES) granted to Emerson Dechechi Chambó, Leticia M. Estevinho and Samira Maria Peixoto Cavalcante da Silva. We thank beekeeper Márcio Brazil for the pollen samples. This work was supported by the strategic programmer UID/BIA/04050/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007569) funded by national funds through the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A PERCEPÇÃO DOS DOCENTES SOBRE O EXAME CLÍNICO OBJETIVAMENTE ESTRUTURADO NO ENSINO-APRENDIZAGEM DE ENFERMAGEM

The objective was to analyze the perception of nursing teachers about the Objectively Structured Clinical Examination in nursing teaching-learning. A descriptive study was carried out, with a qualitative approach, regarding the perception of 15 Nursing teachers about the Objective-Structured Clinical Examination in teaching-learning of the University Center Tabosa de Almeida - ASCES-UNITA, located in the State of Pernambuco. Data collection was performed between August and September 2018 from an individualized interview in a location booked through a tape recorder. The analysis of the results was based on the content analysis proposed by Bardin. From the discourses, it can be considered that a large number of teachers evaluated the method positively, since the application of the same breaks totally with the traditional models of teaching, making possible the construction of the clinical skills of the student in a systematized and active way. However, some limitations were pointed out by the planning and organization of the practical evaluation. In conclusion, the need for greater technological investment in the operationalization of the method in other thematic units of the Nursing course. As well, it is noticed the need to work more the emotional feelings of the students. Keywords: educational measurement, learning, education, nursing, methodology.O objetivo foi analisar a percepção dos docentes de enfermagem sobre o Exame Clínico Objetivamente Estruturado no ensino-aprendizagem de enfermagem. Realizou-se um estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, referente a percepção de 15 docentes de Enfermagem sobre o Exame Clínico Objetivamente Estruturado no ensino-aprendizagem do Centro Universitário Tabosa de Almeida – ASCES-UNITA, localizado no Estado de Pernambuco. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre agosto a setembro de 2018 a partir de uma entrevista individualizada em um local reservado através de um gravador. A análise dos resultados se deu a partir da análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin. A partir dos discursos, pode-se considerar que grande parcela dos docentes avaliou positivamente o método, visto que a aplicação do mesmo rompe totalmente com os modelos tradicionais de ensino, possibilitando, a construção das habilidades clínicas do estudante de forma sistematizada e ativa. Entretanto, algumas limitações foram apontadas atrelando-se com o planejamento e organização da avaliação prática. Conclui-se desse modo, frente a necessidade de um maior investimento tecnológico na operacionalização do método em outras unidades temáticas do curso de Enfermagem. Como também, percebe-se a necessidade de trabalhar mais os sentimentos emocionais dos discentes. Palavras-chave: avaliação educacional, aprendizagem, educação em Enfermagem, metodologia

O RESSURGIMENTO PÓS-ERRADICAÇÃO DE SARAMPO NO BRASIL

O sarampo é uma doença infecciosa de natureza viral de distribuição global com alta transmissibilidade em especial entre crianças menores de 5 anos de idade, causado por um vírus do gênero Morbilivírus. A transmissão ocorre em contato direto, através de gotículas respiratórias expelidas pelo indivíduo contaminado ao tossir ou espirrar. Não há tratamento específico para a doença, apenas medidas preventivas, como a vacinação. Diante deste contexto, essa pesquisa objetivou-se em realizar um levantamento da incidência de sarampo entre os anos de 2013 a 2019 nas regiões brasileiras. A pesquisa foi do tipo exploratório e descritivo, tendo como campo de pesquisa os dados disponibilizados pelo Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS). A região Nordeste se destacou com o maior número de casos em 2013, 2014 e 2015 com valores de 210, 719 e 211, respectivamente. Em 2018 a região Norte foi considerada o epicentro do surto de sarampo com 10.245 casos. Em 2019 ocorreu uma mudança significativa aparecendo a região Sudeste como o novo epicentro do surto de sarampo com 5.261 casos registrados. Em 2019 o país registrou a pior taxa de imunização dos últimos doze anos: 56.9 % no total, contra a meta de 95%, recomendada pela OMS. Observa-se o maior número de casos em homens (1.452), mesmo que o número de casos em mulheres também tenha sido elevado (1.216). O acompanhamento do índice de casos de Sarampo é fundamental para subsidiar informações aos gestores para que os mesmos possam traçar uma metodologia de ação mais eficaz com vista na prevenção de agravos e fiscalização de ações voltadas para um melhor controle e eliminação da doença

Botanical origin, microbiological quality and physicochemical composition of the Melipona scutellaris pot-pollen (“samburá”) from Bahia (Brazil) Region

Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 is of economic importance for local beekeepers, besides its relevance in the pollination of native plant species of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Currently, data on the use of floral resources by Meliponini colonies are scarce, particularly in urban environments. We evaluated the botanical origin, the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of pollen stored by M. scutellaris in colonies in an urban environment. The samples (n = 44) were obtained from the metropolitan region of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, a region of intense urban and industrial activities. We identified 52 pollen types belonging to 21 botanical families. The botanical families Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Anacardiaceae represented most pollen types. Aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria, Bacillus spp., molds and yeasts, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, and Salmonella spp. were not found in the samples. We identified and quantified fatty acids with carbon numbers varying from C4 to C20. For the physicochemical parameters, the following variations were verified: moisture (47.3% to 55.70%), ash (3.45% to 5.90%), protein (10.19 to 24.02%), pH (3.28 to 3.99), acidity (237.20 to 557.10 meq/kg), lipids (2.43 to 7.94%), carbohydrates (10.85 to 28.89%) and total energy value (170.60 to 216.99 kcal/100g). Pollen stored (“samburá”) by bees is a complete food and a source of nutrients with therapeutic potential. Pollen stored by M. scutellaris consists of a heterofloral pollen with physicochemical and microbiological qualities, considered safe for human consumption. Moreover, it contains linoleic and linolenic essential fatty acids making it a potential nutraceutical product.This study was financed in part by the “Coordenação de Aperfeic¸oamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil” (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 and by the “Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia” (FAPESB) - Finance Code PAM0004/2014. We thank “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico” (CNPq) for the scholarship granted to CALC (No. 305885/2017-0).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fungal community on skin tissue of amphibians collected in the Santarém region, Pará, Brazil / Comunidade de fungos do tecido cutâneo de anfíbios coletados na região de Santarém, Pará, Brasil

Among living beings, the Amphibia Class has unique characteristics. The cutaneous tissue of these animals has properties that provide ideal conditions for the establishment of microorganisms in their skin, which act in several important functions. The present study aimed to characterize the cultivable fungal microbiota of amphibians collected in the Santarém region, Western Pará, Brazil. Two species of toads were captured, totalling 25 individuals, being 15 specimens of Rhinella major and 10 individuals of R. marina. Collections were performed by active search at night, between the months of November 2017 to April 2019. Cutaneous samples were collected by smear in the dorsoventral region of the animal, using a swab soaked in sterile 0.85% saline solution with 10-3 dilution, and grown in Petri dishes containing Potato Dextrose Agar culture medium. The animals were euthanized and deposited in the herpetological collection of Federal University of Western Pará. For identification, isolation, morphological characterization and microculture of fungal colonies were used. In total, 75 fungal colonies representative of 11 genera were identified. Penicillium and Aspergillus have been identified as the most representative genera in both amphibian species. There were differences in the composition of the cutaneous mycobiota between R. major and R. marina, but not related to seasonality, which may be linked to the environment they inhabit, as well as to the physiological factors inherent to each species. The present work presents the taxa Absidia, Curvularia, Scopulariopsis and the group mycelia sterilia as new records of fungi associated with the skin tissue of adult anurans. Thus, it is suggested that further studies be carried out in Amazonian environments, with a larger sample size, as well as the use of molecular tools, for a better identification and understanding of the composition of the anuran skin microbiota

Envelhecimento do fermentado alcoólico da manga (Mangifera indica L.) variedade “Carlota” / Aging of mango alcoholic fermented (Mangifera indica L.) “Carlota” variety

A produção de fermentado alcoólico é uma alternativa biotecnológica para aproveitamento dos frutos da manga variedade “Carlota”. Durante o armazenamento, a bebida é submetida a mudanças contínuas, influenciadas por diferentes fatores que alteram sua composição físico-química e sensorial. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o envelhecimento do fermentado alcoólico da manga (Mangifera indica L.) variedade “Carlota”. Após a elaboração, o fermentado foi armazenado a temperatura ambiente (27 ± 3°C), e para o estudo da estabilidade que durou 150 dias, foram retiradas mensalmente três garrafas para a realização das análises de: pH, acidez total titulável e volátil, grau alcoólico, açúcares totais, extrato seco reduzido, fenólicos totais e cor (L*, a*, b*, C e ângulo Hue). O envelhecimento do fermentado resultou em alterações físico-químicas, sendo as variáveis cor e fenólicos totais as mais influenciadas pelo tempo de armazenamento. A maioria dos parâmetros analisados está em conformidade com os padrões de identidade e qualidade estabelecidos pela legislação