Resumo Os méis das abelhas sem ferrão são produtos únicos da biodiversidade brasileira, presentes e valorizados pela cultura popular desde os povos originais das Américas. Por ser mais ácido e apresentar maior teor de umidade, seu sabor é peculiar e sua viscosidade é menor quando comparada ao mel proveniente da espécie exótica Apis mellifera. Devido a essas diferenças, esse produto necessita do estabelecimento de parâmetros físico-químicos específicos que sejam referência tanto para controle de qualidade como para sua comercialização. Com base em pesquisas realizadas pela Embrapa, pelo Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos de Campinas e pelo levantamento bibliográfico de diversos estudos científicos realizados por outros institutos de ensino e pesquisa, esta comunicação tem como objetivo esclarecer as peculiaridades deste produto e apresentar uma proposta de Regulamento Técnico de Identidade e Padrão para o Mel das Abelhas Sem Ferrão, visando sua comercialização no Estado de São Paulo, contribuindo assim para a disponibilidade de um produto seguro e de qualidade para o consumidor final.

Summary Stingless bee honeys are unique products from the Brazilian biodiversity, present and appreciated by popular culture since the original peoples of the Americas. The greater acidity and moisture content of this honey make its flavour unusual and its viscosity lower when compared with the honey from the exotic species Apis mellifera. Due to these differences, this product requires the establishment of specific physical and chemical parameters to serve as a reference for both quality control and marketing purposes. Based on research carried out by Embrapa and the Institute of Food Technology in Campinas, Brazil, and also on a literature review of several scientific studies carried out by other research and educational institutes, this communication aims to clarify the peculiarities of this product and present a proposal for a Technical Regulation for stingless bee honeys aimed at its marketing in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, thus contributing to the availability of a safe product of good quality for the final consumer.

Existen pocos estudios de caracterización de mieles colombianas reportados en la literatura. Es importante conocer los diferentes aspectos de las mieles nacionales para verificar el cumplimiento de los requerimientos colombianos existentes y de las regulaciones internacionales, pero también para incrementar su explotación a partir de su calidad y características distintivas. Los parámetros fisicoquímicos son factores básicos que influencian la calidad final de la miel. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la calidad de mieles comerciales de eucalipto producidas con Apis mellifera en la región de Villanueva (Colombia). Se determinaron algunos parámetros fisicoquímico, tales como: actividad acuosa (0,54), pH (5,02), acidez libre (14,58 meq kg-1), humedad (16,45%), color (91,65 mm PFund), conductividad eléctrica (81,3 mS cm-1), minerales (cenizas, 0,81 %), azúcares reductores (69,95 %), sacarosa (1,48 %), hidroximetilfurfural (HMF, 67,29 mg kg-1), actividad diastásica (3,21 °Gothe), contenido fenólico (76,57 mg Quercetin/100 g), flavonoides (5,96 mg Gallic acid/100 g) y prolina (180,68 mg kg-1), en 24 muestras de miel siguiendo los procedimientos estandarizados. Las muestras analizadas cumplieron las regulaciones nacionales e internacionales para acidez libre, humedad y HMF. No se evidenció tratamientos de adulteración a partir del contenido de prolina, sin embargo, la baja actividad diastásica sugiere que la miel fue sometida a algún tipo calentamiento, podría ser durante su almacenamiento debido a las altas temperaturas típicas de la región de producción. Se detectaron estimaciones convencionales en los contenidos de fenólicos y flavonoides. En conclusión, las mieles evaluadas cumplen con algunos criterios de calidad requeridos para su comercialización, por lo cual es conveniente tener un mayor control del proceso de producción de mieles en el suroeste de Casanare.

There are few characterization studies of Colombian honeys in the literature. It is important to know different aspects of national honeys in order to verify the compliance with the existing Colombian requirements and International regulations, but also to increase its exploitation considering its quality and distinctive features. Physicochemical parameters are basic factors that determine the final quality of honey. The objective of this research was to assess commercial eucalyptus honeys developed with Apis mellifera in the region of Villanueva (Colombia). Water activity (0.54), pH (5.02),free acidity (14.58 meq kg-1), moisture (16.45%), color (91.65 mm PFund), electrical conductivity (81.3 mS cm-1), minerals (ash, 0.81%), reducing sugars (69.95 %), sucrose (1.48 %), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF, 67.29 mg kg-1), diastase activity (3.21 °Gothe), phenolic content (76.57 mg Quercetin/100 g), flavonoids (5.96 mg Gallic acid/100 g) and proline (180.68 mg kg-1) were determined in 24 honey samples following standard and usual procedures. The samples analyzed meet both national and international regulations for free acidity, moisture and HMF. No adulteration treatments were evidenced from proline content. However, the low diastase activity suggests that the honey went through some kind of overheating, probably during its storage under the high temperatures typical in the area of production. Usual estimations of phenolic and flavonoids content were detected. In conclusion, the tested samples fulfill some of the requirements for their commercialization. Hence, it would be convenient to develop a better control of the honey production process in the Southwest Casanare.

Existem poucos estudos de caracterização de meles colombianas reportados na literatura. É importante conhecer os diferentes aspectos dos meles nacionais para verificar o cumprimento dos requerimentos colombianos existentes e das regulamentações internacionais, mas também para incrementar a sua exploração a partir da sua qualidade e características distintivas. Os parâmetros físico-químicos são fatores básicos que influenciam a qualidade final do mel. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a qualidade de meles comerciais de eucalipto produzidas com Apis mellifera na região de Villanueva (Colômbia). Determinaram-se alguns parâmetros físico-químicos, tais como: atividade aquosa (0,54), pH (5,02), acidez livre (14,58 meq kg-1), umidade (16,45%), cor (91,65 mm PFund), condutividade elétrica (81,3 mS cm-1), minerais (cinzas, 0,81 %), açúcares redutores (69,95 %), sacarose (1,48 %), hidroximetilfurfural (HMF, 67,29 mg kg-1), atividade diastásica (3,21 °Gothe), conteúdo fenólico (76,57 mg Quercetin/100 g), flavonoides (5,96 mg Gallic acid/100 g) e prolina (180,68 mg kg-1), em 24 amostras de mel seguindo os procedimentos padronizados. As amostras analisadas cumpriram as regulamentações nacionais e internacionais para acidez livre, umidade e HMF. Não se evidenciou tratamentos de adulteração a partir do conteúdo de prolina, embora, a baixa atividade diastásica sugere que o mel foi submetido a algum tipo esquentamento, poderia ser durante o seu armazenamento devido às altas temperaturas típicas da região de produção. Detectaram-se estimações convencionais nos conteúdos de fenólicos e flavonoides. Em conclusão, os meles avaliados cumprem com alguns critérios de qualidade requeridos para a sua comercialização, pelo qual é conveniente ter um maior controle do processo de produção de meles no sudoeste do Casanare.

Due to the interest in the production and trading of yateí (Tetragonisca angustula) honey in the province of Misiones, Argentina, in this work we assessed microbiological and physicochemical parameters in order to contribute to the elaboration of standards for quality control and promote commercialization. Results showed that yateí honey samples had significantly different microbiological and physicochemical characteristics in comparison to established quality standards for Apis mellifera honey. Thus, we observed that values for pH (3.72), glucose (19.01 g/100 g) and fructose (23.74 g/100 g) were lower than A. mellifera quality standards, while acidity (79.42 meq/kg), moisture (24%), and mould and yeast count (MY) (3.02 log CFU/g) were higher. The acid content was correlated with glucose (R²=0.75) and fructose (R²=0.68) content, and also with mould and yeast counts (R²=0.45) to a lesser extent. The incidence of microorganisms in yateí honey samples reached 42.85% and 39% for Clostridium sulfite-reducers and Bacillus spp., respectively. No C. botulinum or B. cereus cells were detected. Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. incidence was similar (ca. 7.14%), whereas Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were not detected. We conclude that the microbiological and physicochemical properties of yateí honey are different from those of A. mellifera honey; hence, different quality standards could be implemented to promote its commercialization.

Debido al interés en la producción y comercialización de la miel de yateí (Tetragonisca angustula) en la provincia de Misiones, Argentina, en este trabajo se evaluaron parámetros microbiológicos y fisicoquímicos con el fin de contribuir con la elaboración de normas para el control de calidad y promover su comercialización. Los resultados demostraron que los parámetros analizados en esta miel (n = 28) diferían significativamente de los valores aceptables establecidos para la miel de Apis mellífera. En comparación, se observó que los valores de pH (3,72) y de concentración de glucosa (19,01 g/100 g) y fructosa (23,74 g/100 g) eran más bajos, mientras que los valores de acidez (79,42 meq/kg) y humedad (24 %), al igual que el recuento de hongos y levaduras (HyL) (3,02 log UFC/g), eran más altos. La acidez mostró una correlación inversamente proporcional con el contenido de glucosa (R² = 0,75) y fructosa (R² = 0,68), y directamente proporcional con el recuento de HyL, aunque en este caso la correlación fue menor (R² = 0,45). En lo que respecta a los parámetros microbiológicos, se observó 42,85 % de Clostridium sulfito-reductores y 39 % de Bacillus spp., y no se detectó presencia de C. botulinum ni de B. cereus. Enterococcus spp. y Staphylococcus spp. se encontraron en una proporción similar (ca. 7,14 %), mientras que Escherichia coli y Salmonella spp. no fueron detectados. Concluimos que las propiedades microbiológicas y fisicoquímicas de la miel de yateí difieren de las de la miel de A. mellifera, por lo cual sería oportuno establecer normas de calidad diferentes para facilitar su comercialización.

Caracterizaciones de miel de Apis mellifera producida en el Suroeste de Antioquia, una región cafetera de Colombia, no se han publicado recientemente. En el presente trabajo, siete muestras de miel recolectadas en la región mencionada, fueron físicamente (índice de refracción, rotación específica, densidad), químicamente (contenido de humedad, actividad acuosa, pH, acidez libre, carbohidratos), y microbiológicamente (Clostridium, hongos y levaduras) analizadas. Los resultados muestran que las mieles analizadas cumplen tanto los estándares nacionales (Resolución 1057 de 2010) como internacionales (Codex-Stan 12 de 1981) para contenido de humedad, acidez libre, contenido de sacarosa y los parámetros microbiológicos, indicando su buena calidad. Los valores de relación fructosa/glucosa, pH y rotación específica indican que las muestras son mieles florales.

Characterizations of Apis mellifera honey produced in Southwest of Antioquia, an important coffee region of Colombia, have not been published in recent years. In the present work, seven samples of honey collected in the mentioned region, were physically (refractive index, specific rotation, density), chemically (moisture content, water activity, pH, free acidity, carbohydrates) and microbiologically (Clostridium, fungi and yeast) analyzed. The results show that the analyzed honeys meet both national (Resolución 1057 of 2010) and International (Codex-Stan 12 of 1981) standards for moisture content, free acidity, sucrose content and microbiological parameters, indicating their good quality. Fructose/glucose ratio, pH and specific rotation values indicate that the samples are blossom honeys.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of artificial supplements prepared with soybean protein isolate, brewer's yeast, mixture of soybean protein isolate with brewer's yeast, linseed oil, palm oil, and a mixture of linseed oil with palm oil on the physicochemical and microbiological composition of royal jelly produced by Africanized honey bee colonies. Considering these results, providing supplements for Africanized honeybee colonies subjected to royal jelly production can help and strengthen the technological development of the Brazilian beekeeping industry increasing its consumption in the national market. This research presents values of royal jelly a little different from those established by the Brazilian legislation. This fact shows that is important to discuss or change the official method for royal jelly analysis. The characterization of physicochemical and microbiological parameters is important in order to standardize fresh, frozen, and lyophilized royal jelly produced by Africanized honeybees.

Análises fisico-quimicas foram realizadas para avaliar vinte e sete amostras de mel de três espécies do gênero Melipona (M. capixaba, M. rufiventris e M. mondury) coletadas nos Estados do Espírito Santo e de Minas Gerais. Os parâmetros atividade de água (aW), porcentagem de sólidos solúveis (Brix %), pH, acidez (meq.Kg-1) e umidade (%) foram avaliados. As características do mel dessas amostras foram muito similares às do mel de outras espécies de Melipona. Entretanto, para o mel de Apis apenas os valores de pH foram similares. O baixo valor de pH e a elevada acidez detectados no mel de Melipona são fatores potenciais para uma maior vida útil do mesmo por não oferecerem condições favoráveis ao desenvolvimento microbiano. Por outro lado, o alto teor de atividade de água favorece o crescimento de microrganismos, especialmente de leveduras o que requer maior cuidado no manuseio e armazenamento do mel. As diferenças observadas entre o mel de Melipona e o de Apis reforçam a necessidade de estabelecimento de padrões de qualidade específicos para o mel de abelhas sem ferrão.

Physicochemical analyses were carried out to evaluate 27 samples of honeys from three species of the Brazilian genus Melipona (M. capixaba, M. rufiventris and M. mondury) from Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais States. The parameters water activity (Aw), percentage of soluble solids (Brix %), pH, acidity (meq/Kg) and moisture (%) were evaluated. The honey characteristics obtained from these samples were very similar to the ones from other Melipona species. However, regarding the honey from Apis (honey bee), only the pH values were similar. The low pH value and the high acidity detected in Melipona honey are potential factors for increasing the honey shelf life because they do not provide favorable conditions for the microbial development. On the other hand, the high level of water activity favors the growth of microorganisms, especially yeast, which demands a more careful handled and storage. The observed differences between Melipona and Apis honey reinforce the need for specific quality settings for stingless bee honey.

The honey of Melipona fasciculata is few known in terms of composition, and therefore generally associated with the characteristics of the honey of Apis mellifera. This study contributes to the knowledge of the physico-chemical characteristics of honey of M. fasciculata of the municipalities of Barra do Corda, Jenipapo dos Vieiras, Fernando Falcão, Carolina and Riachão, in cerrado region from Maranhão. The parameters studied were: moisture, pH, acidity, reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, insoluble solids, ash and color. Some of the observed patterns may conform to the established for A. mellifera, but others must be accompanied by a specific legislation.

La miel de abejas es el producto apícola más popular utilizado por el hombre, con fines nutricionales y medicinales. Su gran diversidad se atribuye a numerosos factores (tipo de abeja, flora visitada, ambiente, y manejo). La calidad de la miel se controla con parámetros de rutina: acidez libre, actividad de la diastasa, azúcares reductores, cenizas, humedad, hidroximetilfurfural, sacarosa aparente. Junto con el control de calidad bioquímica, también es importante su perfil funcional para aplicaciones farmacológicas. En este trabajo se evaluaron indicadores de bioactividad como la actividad antioxidante, el contenido de flavonoides y de polifenoles por espectrofotometría, y se correlacionaron con el contenido de seis bioelementos (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn) determinados por espectroscopía de absorción atómica, IF acoplada a EAA con llama, en 14 mieles uniflorales checas. La actividad antioxidante fue 43.13 ± 53.72 mmoles TEAC/100 g miel. El contenido de flavonoides fue 5.18 ± 4.19 mg EQ/100 g, y el de polifenoles fue 45.38 ± 27.20 mg EAG/100 g. La miel de trigo sarraceno mostró los mayores valores en estos indicadores de bioactividad, las mieles de acacia los más bajos, y en el resto de las mieles estuvieron comprendidos entre ambos. El contenido de bioelementos en la miel fue 138.19 ± 55.57 ppm Ca (min 77.11 - max 261.65), 0.33 ± 0.41 ppm Cu (min 0.00 - max 1.37), 2.95 ± 1.10 ppm Fe (min 1.34 - max 5.36), 35.08 ± 29.59 ppm Mg (min 8.76 - 128.06), 4.93 ± 3.99 ppm Mn (min 0.34 - max 11.31), 1.07 ± 0.56 ppm Zn (min 0.49 - max 2.52). La actividad antioxidante de la miel se correlacionó significativamente con su contenido de cobre, hierro, magnesio, manganeso y zinc, pero no se correlacionó con el contenido de calcio.

Honey is the most popular bee product used by man, with nutritional and medicinal purposes. Its great diversity is attributed to numerous factors (bee type, visited flora, environment, and management). The quality of honey is controlled with routine parameters (free acidity, diastase activity, reducing sugars, ash, water, hydroxymethyfurfural, and sucrose contents). Besides the biochemical quality control, a functional profile is also important for pharmacological applications. In this work, bioactive indicators such as the antioxidant activity, flavonoid and polyphenol contents were evaluated by spectrophotometry, and correlated to the content of six bioelements (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn) measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy, tandem FI-FAAS, in 14 unifloral Czech honeys. The antioxidant activity was 43.13 ± 53.72 mmoles TEAC/100 g honey. The flavonoid content was 5.18 ± 4.19 mg QE/100 g, and the polyphenol content was 45.38 ± 27.20 mg GAE/100 g. Buckwheat honey showed the highest values for these indicators of bioactivity, the acacia honeys the lowest, and the rest of the honeys were comprised between both of them. Honey content of bioelements was 138.19 ± 55.57 ppm Ca (min 77.11 - max 261.65), 0.33 ± 0.41 ppm Cu (min 0.00 - max 1.37), 2.95 ± 1.10 ppm Fe (min 1.34 - max 5.36), 35.08 ± 29.59 ppm Mg (min 8.76 - 128.06), 4.93 ± 3.99 ppm Mn (min 0.34 - max 11.31), 1.07 ± 0.56 ppm Zn (min 0.49 - max 2.52). The antioxidant activity of honey was significantly correlated to its content of cupper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc, but was not correlated to calcium.

This study was intended to evaluate the quality chemical parameters of 62 Apis mellifera L. honey samples, from the Province of Chubut, Argentine. Samples were obtained from the three melliferous areas of this province: Andean region, lower Chubut River valley and plains of Senguerr River. The average values obtained for electrical conductivity (0.33 mS cm-1) and pH (4.17) indicate that the analyzed honeys came mainly from nectar. Electrical conductivity was higher in honeys from the Andean region than in honeys from the other two regions. Moisture (water content) was low, with an average value of 14.67%. The hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content was very low and ranged between 0.0 and 14.70 mg kg-1. Moisture, HMF and free acidity values show good maturity and absence of undesirable fermentation in all the samples. Diastase activity had a mean value of 13.50 units on the Gothe scale. Color parameter presented variations between honeys from different areas. The analytical values for the samples from the Andean region, the lower Chubut River valley and the plains of the Senguerr River respectively were: 67.73, 40.33 and 23.26 mm Pfund. Results obtained in this study, indicate that honeys produced in Chubut present excellent quality properties according to international standards.

Este estudio se realizó para evaluar los parámetros químicos de calidad de 62 muestras de mieles de Apis mellifera L., provenientes de la Provincia de Chubut. Las muestras de mieles se obtuvieron de las tres regiones melíferas de esta provincia: la Región Andina, el valle inferior del Río Chubut y la llanura del Río Senguerr. Los valores promedio obtenidos para conductividad eléctrica (0,33 mS cm-1) y pH (4,17) indican que las mieles fueron principalmente de néctar. Los valores de conductividad eléctrica fueron mayores en las mieles de la Región Andina que en las mieles de las otras regiones. La humedad (contenido de agua) fue baja, con un valor medio de 14,67%. El contenido de hidroximetilfurfural (HMF) fue muy bajo y varió entre 0,0 y 14,70 meq kg-1. Los valores obtenidos para humedad, HMF y acidez libre indican una buena maduración de las mieles y ausencia de fermentación indeseada en todas las muestras. La actividad diastásica presentó un valor medio de 3.50 unidades en la escala Gothe. Se registraron variaciones de color entre las muestras de las diferentes áreas, con valores medios obtenidos para las muestras de la región Andina, el valle inferior del Río Chubut y la llanura del Río Senguerr, de 67,49; 40,33 y 23,26 mm Pfund, respectivamente. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio, indican que las mieles producidas en Chubut presentan propiedades de excelente calidad según las normas internacionales.