Mel de abelha jandaíra (Melipona subnitida) do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

Jandaira bee (M. subnitida Ducke) is found in Brazilian northeastern. Your honey is characterized by the large amount of water (moisture) and clear color predominant. The honey characteristics can be influenced by several factors such as species, flowering, temperature, harvesting and storage. In addition, its qualityis marked by the presence of microorganisms, pesticides and others. This study aimed to characterize the Jandaira honey produced in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte. In order to do this, we evaluated 35 samples from three mesoregion state of 12 cities, which were collected directly from meliponary. The honey composition (moisture, Aw, pH, HMF, acidity, sucrose, reducing sugars, insoluble solids, ash and color) and the influence of flowering were evaluted; qualitative and quantitative analysis of the pollen (melissopalynology) was conducted; the effect of storage period (M0, M12, M18) on their characteristics was observed; and the presence of microorganisms and pesticides in honey was researched. Samples of Jandaira honey presented high moisture, an average of 24.4%. Staining was a predominantly clear (white and extra white). There was a predominance of pollen from native plants of the Caatinga biome, such as Mimosa tenuiflora and M. arenosa, among others and the predominance of unifloral honey. During the storage it was found that moisture and pH reduced, while the HMF, the acidity, and the color increased at the end of the storage period. Regarding to the investigated microorganisms there was contamination by fungi and yeasts, Clostridium perfringens, C. botulinum type C and different species of Bacillus. Contamination was observed by pesticides in 25 honey samples, all in the organophosphates class. The Jandaira honey produced in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte State presented parameters that cannot be compared with existing legislation, and contamination by microorganisms and pesticides. Therefore, we suggest the creation of a normative instruction that addresses the identity and quality of Jandaira honey, which also contemplates the product validity period, acceptable limits of microorganisms and pesticides so that the product offered to the population would have a good quality. In addition to maintaining native flowering and consequent preservation of Jandaira bee, the constant monitoring is necessary to avoid the use of pesticides and deforestation in the areas of Caatinga