Honey physicochemical properties of three species of the brazilian Melipona

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências

Lorena G.a. Lage¹  Lívia L. Coelho¹  Helder C. Resende¹  Mara G. Tavares¹  Lucio A.o. Campos¹  Tânia M. Fernandes-salomão¹ 

关键词: Honey;    Melipona;    Meliponini;    Physicochemical data;    Mel;    Melipona;    Meliponini;    Dados físico-químicos;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0001-37652012005000051

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

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