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Physicochemical and microbiological evaluation of urban honey from stingless bees
1 , 1, 2 , 1, 3 , 1 , 4 , 3, 4 , * 1, 3
1  Quality Control and Food Safety Laboratory - Federal University of Paraná , Curitiba/Paraná, Brazil
2  Post-Graduation Program in Veterinary Sciences - Federal University of Paraná
3  Post-Graduation Program in Veterinary Sciences - Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba/Paraná, Brazil
4  Animal Nutrition Laboratory - Federal University of Paraná , Curitiba/Paraná, Brazil
Academic Editor: Antonello Santini

Abstract:

The stingless bee, native to Brazil, are fundamental for the preservation and balance of ecosystems, and they produce honey with high added value. There are still few reports about its quality characteristics, especially in terms of physicochemical and microbiological evaluations. The aim of this study was to elucidate the physicochemical and microbiological profile of honey from stingless bees in urban areas. To achieve this, fresh stingless bee honey produced for local consumption in Curitiba and Almirante Tamandaré was analyzed. Two 50g samples of stingless bee honey from the species Melipona marginali (A) and Melipona bicolor (B) were collected in aliquots and analyzed in duplicate for color, moisture, water activity, pH, aerobic mesophile count, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and molds, and the most probable number of total and thermotolerant coliforms. The samples had a light amber color, high humidity (36.06% and 33,41%), high water activity (0.72 and 0.69), and acidic pH (3.41 and 2.55). For sample A, the microbial count of mesophilic aerobes was 4.6 log UFC/mL, for lactic acid bacteria (BAL), 5.44 Log UFC/mL, for molds and yeasts, 3.51 Log UFC/mL, and there was no detection of total or thermotolerant coliforms. For sample B, the mesophilic aerobic counts were 5.39 Log UFC/mL, for lactic acid bacteria, 5.05 Log UFC/mL, and for yeasts and molds, 5.88 Log UFC/mL, and there was no detection of total or thermotolerant coliforms. Thus, the honeys evaluated were characterized by high humidity, but low water activity, acidic pH, the presence of beneficial bacteria (BAL), and for containing environmental contaminants (mesophiles, yeasts, and molds). The absence of total and thermotolerant coliforms is indicative of the good hygiene and health quality of the products evaluated. Further studies are needed to better understand the characteristics of these products.

Keywords: Food Safety, Urban meliponiculture; Melipona spp.

 
 
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