Physical-Chemical Parameters of Honey of Stingless Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Andreia Santos do Nascimento *
Department of Entomology and Acarology, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 13418-900, Piracicaba – SP, Brazil
Luis Carlos Marchini
Department of Entomology and Acarology, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 13418-900, Piracicaba – SP, Brazil
Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho
Center of Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia, 44380-000, Cruz das Almas – BA, Brazil
Diogo Feliciano Dias Araújo
Department of Entomology and Acarology, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 13418-900, Piracicaba – SP, Brazil
Ricardo Alves de Olinda
Department of Statistics, Science and Technology Centre, State University of Paraíba, 58109-790, Bodocongó – PB, Brazil
Talita Antonia da Silveira
Department of Entomology and Acarology, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, 13418-900, Piracicaba – SP, Brazil
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical quality of honeys samples of stingless bee (Meliponinae). Physico-chemical analyses were: moisture, color, pH, acidity, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural, ashes, diastasic activity, reducing sugars, and sucrose. For the parameters hydroxymethylfurfural, ashes, reducing sugars and sucrose, the samples complied with the requirements of the current Brazilian legislation for honey. The diastasic activity and moisture parameters did not meet thresholds in the legislation, pointing to the need to create a specific legislation for honey of stingless bees, given the large number of species and the different characteristics of the honey that they produce.
Keywords: Meliponini, nectar, quality