Abstract Geographical Indications (GI) are tools used to add value, protect and recognize the differentiated quality of a product as a consequence of environmental and territorial influence. The objective of this work was to determine physicochemical, melissopalynological and sugar profiles plus chemical markers of Citrus limon monofloral honey produced in Tucumán-Argentina, to the development of the GI “Lemon blossom honey from Tucumán”. Samples harvested between August and October 2016, 2017 and 2018 were analyzed. It was established that in addition to Citrus limon, the most frequent pollen species was Salix type. This honey is very light in color (≤ 30 mm Pfund), slightly acidic (≤ 20 meq.kg-1), with moisture values from 15 to 19 g/100g, low diastatic activity (≤ 27 Gothe units), HMF (≤ 3.0 mg.kg-1) and electrical conductivity (≤ 0.32 mS.cm-1). Color inversely correlates with the amount of Citrus limon pollen. The sugar profile showed a higher fructose content than glucose, sucrose and maltose, and intermediate tendency towards crystallization. Hesperidin was easily detected and quantified in all samples. The content of methyl anthranilate was much lower than the international reference for citrus honeys and also, was not detected in some samples. Hence, should be a complementary indicator and hesperidin could be used instead as a chemical marker of genuineness.

Resumen Las Indicaciones Geográficas (IG) son herramientas utilizadas para agregar valor y para proteger y reconocer la calidad diferencial de un producto como consecuencia de la influencia ambiental y territorial. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en determinar los perfiles físicoquímicos, melisopalinológicos y de azúcares, además de marcadores químicos de mieles monoflorales de Citrus limon producidas en Tucumán-Argentina, para el desarrollo de la IG “Miel de azahar de limón de Tucumán”. Se analizaron muestras cosechadas entre agosto y octubre de 2016, 2017 y 2018. Se estableció que además de Citrus limon, la especie de polen más frecuente fue la del tipo Salix. Esta miel es de color muy claro (≤ 30 mm Pfund), ligeramente ácida (≤ 20 meq.kg-1), con valores de humedad de 15 a 19 g/100 g, baja actividad diastásica (≤ 27 unidades Gothe), HMF (≤ 3,0 mg.kg-1) y conductividad eléctrica (≤ 0,32 mS.cm-1). El color se correlaciona inversamente con la cantidad de polen de Citrus limon. El perfil de azúcares mostró mayor contenido de fructosa que glucosa, sacarosa y maltosa, y una tendencia intermedia a la cristalización. La hesperidina se detectó y cuantificó fácilmente en todas las muestras. El contenido de metil antranilato fue mucho menor que la referencia internacional para mieles de cítricos y además, no se detectó en algunas muestras. Por lo tanto, debería ser un indicador complementario y la hesperidina podría usarse en su lugar como un marcador químico de autenticidad.

Natural occurrence of zearalenone in grassland, improved pastures and feeds for cattle in eastern Chaco province (Argentina) was surveyed. Besides, isolation, identification and toxicogenic capacity of several Fusarium species were carried out. HPLC and ELISA techniques were used for detection of the toxin. In 17 of 29 samples zearalenone presence was confirmed. Sixty- three Fusarium isolates corresponding to Fusarium cf. acuminatum F. chlamydosporum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum and F. semitectum were identified. On the other hand, in vitro production of zearalenone was verified in 34 of these isolates.

Se estudió la presencia de zearalenona en pasturas y alimentos que son utilizados para la producción de bovinos de carne de la zona este de la provincia del Chaco. Asimismo, se realizó el aislamiento e identificación de diversas especies de Fusarium y se determinó su capacidad de producir zearalenona en condiciones de laboratorio. La determinación química de la toxina se realizó mediante las metodologías HPLC y ensayo inmunoenzimático (ELISA). Se analizaron 29 muestras y en 17 de ellas se confirmó la ocurrencia natural de zearalenona en cantidades variables. Se identificaron 63 aislamientos que correspondieron a Fusarium cf. acuminatum, F. chlamydosporum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum y F. semitectum, confirmándose además la producción in vitro de zearalenona en 34 de éstos aislamientos.

Honeybee defensive behavior is a useful selection criterion, especially in areas with Africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L). In all genetic improvement programs the selected characters must be measured with precision, and because of this we evaluated a metabolic method for testing honeybee defensive behavior in the laboratory for its usefulness in distinguishing between honeybee ecotypes and selecting honeybees based on their level of defensive responses. Ten honeybee colonies were used, five having been produced by feral queens from a subtropical region supposedly colonized by Africanized honeybees and five by queens from a temperate region apparently colonized by European honeybees. We evaluate honeybee defensive behavior using a metabolic test based on oxygen consumption after stimulation with an alarm pheromone, measuring the time to the first response, time to maximum oxygen consumption, duration of activity, oxygen consumption at first response, maximum oxygen consumption and total oxygen consumption, colonies being ranked according to the values obtained for each variable. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were detected between ecotypes for each variable but for all variables the highest rankings were obtained for colonies of subtropical origin, which had faster and more intense responses. All variables were highly associated (p < 0.05). Total oxygen consumption was the best indicator of metabolic activity for defensive behavior because it combined oxygen consumption and the length of the response. This laboratory method may be useful for evaluating the defensive behavior of honey bees in genetic programs designed to select less defensive bees.