Abstract Antimicrobial activity of honey has lately drawn researchers’ attention, especially due to the fact that its antimicrobial capacity has been proven. The aim of this study was analyzing bactericidal and bacteriostatic action in the pathogenic microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans of honey samples from five regions of the state of Paraná. Candida albicans yeast showed to be more resistant to honey than the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimal inhibitory concentration found for the three microorganisms tested was 12.5% to 25%. The minimal bactericidal concentration, in its turn, was 25% for bacteria and 25% to 50% for yeast. The samples from the Southern area had the best results for both the minimal inhibitory and the bactericidal concentrations. Through physicochemical and phyto-chemical analysis, we observed that several factors are associated to the bactericidal capacity of honey. In conclusion, honey is an excellent bactericidal agent with a great biotechnological potential. Its properties are directly related to its geographic origin, which gives each type of honey its own characteristics.

Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar o efeito de suplementos elaborados com proteína isolada de soja, levedo de cerveja, mistura de proteína isolada de soja com levedo de cerveja, óleo de linhaça, óleo de palma e mistura de óleo de linhaça com óleo de palma na produção de geleia real por colônias de abelhas africanizadas. O total de geleia real produzida foi superior (p < 0,05) nos tratamentos com proteína isolada de soja e levedo de cerveja (11,68 g colônia-1), seguido do suplemento óleo de linhaça e palma (11,30 g colônia-1) e suplemento palma (9,61 g colônia-1), sendo estes superiores aos tratamentos-controle I (6,35 g colônia-1) e II (6,95 g colônia-1). Essas observações demonstraram que a suplementação feita com uma mistura de óleo de linhaça e de palma, e proteína isolada de soja e levedo de cerveja poderiam ser recomendadas para aumentar a produção de geleia real em escala comercial, além de se tornar uma importante ferramenta para os apicultores, por aumentar a produção, contribuir para aumentar a taxa de aceitação das larvas transferidas.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplements with isolated soy protein, brewer's yeast, a mixture of isolated soy protein with brewer's yeast, linseed oil, palm oil and mixture of linseed oil with palm oil in the production of royal jelly by Africanized honeybee colonies. Total royal jelly production was higher (p < 0.05) in colonies fed with isolated soy protein and brewer's yeast (11.68 g colony-1), followed by linseed oil and palm oil (11.30 g colony-1) and palm oil (9.61 g colony-1), being higher than control I (6.35 g colony-1), and II (6.95 g colony-1). The results demonstrated that the supplementation with a mixture of linseed oil plus palm oil, and isolated soy protein plus brewer's yeast is recommended to increase the royal jelly production on a commercial scale. Besides becoming an important tool for beekeepers by increasing the production, it also contributes to improve the acceptance rate of grafted larvae.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of artificial supplements prepared with soybean protein isolate, brewer's yeast, mixture of soybean protein isolate with brewer's yeast, linseed oil, palm oil, and a mixture of linseed oil with palm oil on the physicochemical and microbiological composition of royal jelly produced by Africanized honey bee colonies. Considering these results, providing supplements for Africanized honeybee colonies subjected to royal jelly production can help and strengthen the technological development of the Brazilian beekeeping industry increasing its consumption in the national market. This research presents values of royal jelly a little different from those established by the Brazilian legislation. This fact shows that is important to discuss or change the official method for royal jelly analysis. The characterization of physicochemical and microbiological parameters is important in order to standardize fresh, frozen, and lyophilized royal jelly produced by Africanized honeybees.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento da flora com potencial apícola nos municípios de Ubiratã e Nova Aurora-PR, por meio da coleta de plantas e análises polínicas em amostras de mel coletadas mensalmente. Foram registradas 208 espécies de plantas, distribuídas em 66 famílias. As famílias que apresentaram maior riqueza de tipos polínicos foram Asteraceae, Myrtaceae e Solanaceae. Aproximadamente 80 tipos polínicos foram encontrados nas amostras de mel e, na maioria, foram caracterizados como heteroflorais. Plantas cultivadas, como Glycine max (soja) e Eucalyptus spp. foram representativas em alguns meses do ano. Espécies exóticas, tais como Ricinus communis and Melia azedarach também foram frequentes. No entanto, mais de 50% dos tipos polínicos pertencem a espécies nativas da região, tais como Schinus terebinthifolius, Baccharis spp., Alchornea triplinervea, Parapiptadenia rigida, Hexaclamys edulis, Zanthoxylum sp. and Serjania spp., indicando a importância da vegetação nativa para a sobrevivência das colônias.

The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of the flora with potential for beekeeping in the counties of Ubiratã and Nova Aurora-PR through the collection of plants and pollen analyses in honey samples collected monthly. 208 species of plants were recorded, distributed in 66 families. The families that showed the major richness of pollen types were: Asteraceae, Myrtaceae and Solanaceae. Approximately 80 pollen types were found in honey samples, most of them were characterized as heterofloral. Cultivated plants, such as Glycine max (soybean) and Eucalyptus spp., were representative in some months of the year. Exotic species, such as Ricinus communis and Melia azedarach, were also frequent. However, over than 50% of the pollen types belong to native species of the region, such as Schinus terebinthifolius, Baccharis spp. Alchornea triplinervia, Parapiptadenia rigida, Hexaclamys edulis, Zanthoxylum sp. and Serjania spp., indicating the importance of the native vegetation for the survival of the colonies.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar e comparar 17 amostras de Apis mellifera mel, sendo 11 orgânicos e seis não orgânicos. As amostras foram analisadas quanto à umidade, hidroximetilfurfural, índice de diastase, atividade de água, cor, açúcares totais, açúcares redutores, sacarose, cinzas, viscosidade, condutividade elétrica, pH, acidez e índice de formol. Com exceção da acidez, açúcar redutor e índice de diastase as médias dos demais parâmetros analisados diferiram entre os dois grupos. Todas as amostras de mel orgânico analisadas apresentaram valores de umidade entre 23,50 to 24,40%. Das amostras de mel não orgânico analisadas, duas apresentaram quantidades de sacarose aparente acima do limite máximo estabelecido pela legislação brasileira. De acordo com as análises quantitativas dos sedimentos polínicos e a frequência dos tipos polínicos observados nas 17 amostras de mel analisadas, 41,20% foram classificadas como monofloral e o restante como polifloral.

The aim of this research was to analyze and compare 17 honey samples, 11 organic and six non-organic Apis mellifera honey. The samples were analyzed concerning moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase index, water activity, color, total sugar, reducing sugar, sucrose, ash, viscosity, electrical conductivity, pH, acidity, and formol index. With the exception of acidity, reducing sugar and diastase index, the averages of other parameters were different between the two groups. All samples of organic honey presented moisture values between 23.50 and 24.40%. Among the nonorganic honey samples, two presented apparent sucrose amount upper the maximum limit established by the Brazilian Legislation. According to the quantitative analysis of pollen sediments in the honey samples and frequency of pollen types in 17 honey samples, 41.20% were classified as unifioral, and the remainder as polifioral.

Genetic and phenotypic parameters considering the genetic effect on hygienic behavior of queen and workers from 40 Africanized honeybees colonies were estimated separately. Maternal origin of queens was controlled whereas the paternal was unknown, and different groups of workers were considered in three seasons, October 2006, April 2007 and August 2007, but with the same queen. Colonies were 21 honey producers and 19 royal jelly producers. After the method of freezing capped brood, hygienic behavior was determined by the ratio between the number of dead capped brood removed at 24, 48 and 72 hours and the total number of capped brood at zero hour. Data was submitted to single and three traits analyses using Bayesian inference. Estimates of direct heritability at 24, 48 and 72 hours (0.10, 0.11 and 0.11) were identical to the motherly ones. Estimates by three trait analysis of direct heritability were 0.28, 0.15, 0.24, and of maternal heritability were 0.23, 0.29, 0.27, at 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Correlations between maternal and genetic effects were 0.12, 0.09 and - 0.08 at, 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Correlation between 24 and 48 hours was 0.49; between 24 and 72 hours, 0.40; and between 48 and 72 hours, 0.47. Moderate genetic correlations with the number of capped brood removed until 48 and 72 hours indicate that after the selection of a few generations, these traits can become an efficient criterion for selection in 24 hours.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a composição físico-química de mel orgânico produzido nas ilhas do rio Paraná, na região de Porto Brasílio, Estado do Paraná. O mel foi coletado diretamente das melgueiras das colônias avaliadas, em três apiários distribuídos em pontos estratégicos nas ilhas Floresta e Laranjeira de agosto de 2005 a agosto de 2006. Vinte e quatro amostras de méis orgânicos produzidos por abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas foram avaliadas. Os parâmetros analisados foram: pH, acidez, índice de formol, hidroximetilfurfural, cinzas, cor, condutividade elétrica e umidade. Para as análises laboratoriais foram realizadas três repetições por amostra, obtendo-se a média e o desvio padrão. A maioria das amostras de méis avaliadas apresentou-se em conformidade com o determinado pela Instrução Normativa 11, de 20 de Outubro de 2000. Entretanto, 4,17% apresentaram-se fora dos padrões pela questão da umidade e 8,33% devido às altas concentrações de hidroximetilfurfural, totalizando 12,50% de amostras fora do estabelecido pela norma vigente. Contudo, pode-se concluir que 87,50% do mel analisado está de acordo com a normativa vigente, sendo um produto orgânico de excelente qualidade, com expectativa de boa aceitação no mercado.

This research was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical composition of organic honey in Paraná River islands, in Porto Brasílio, State of Paraná. Honey was harvested directly from super of the colonies in three apiaries spread in the Floresta and Laranjeira Islands, from August 2005 to August 2006. Twenty-four samples of organic honey produced by Africanized honeybees were evaluated. The following parameters were analyzed: pH, acidity, formol index, hydroxymethylfurfural, ashes, color, electric conductivity and moisture. Three replications per sample were performed for laboratorial analysis, giving the means and standard deviation. Most honey samples were in conformity with the Normative Instruction 11 from October 20, 2000. However, 4.17% were not in accordance with the moisture standards, 8.33% showed high concentrations of hydroxymethylfurfural, thus, totalizing 12.50% of non-complying samples. Nevertheless, 87.50% of the analyzed honey samples are within the standards, being characterized as an organic product of excellent quality, with good commercialization perspectives in the market.

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar e comparar as principais fontes de contaminação e as condições higiênico-sanitárias de amostras de mel orgânico de Apis mellifera proveniente das Ilhas do rio Paraná. Foram analisadas 33 amostras, de janeiro de 2005 a agosto de 2006, sendo que, 11 foram coletadas por apicultores e 22 foram colhidas e processadas de acordo com as normas de higiene pessoal e práticas corretas de manipulação de alimentos. As amostras foram analisadas para a presença de coliformes a 35 ºC, 45 ºC e enumeração de bolores e leveduras. Todas as amostras apresentaram ausência total de coliformes a 35 ºC e 45 ºC (44,5 ± 1 ºC). Para contagem de bolores e leveduras, as amostras colhidas pelos apicultores apresentaram valores acima do máximo estabelecido pela Resolução Mercosul Grupo de Mercado Comum, Nº 15/94. Os resultados indicam que as fontes de contaminação secundárias são as responsáveis pela redução da qualidade do mel orgânico.

The purpose of this study was to verify and compare the main contamination sources and the hygienic/sanitary conditions of organic honey samples of Apis mellifera from Parana River islands. Thirty-three (33) samples were analyzed between January 2005 and August 2006. Eleven (11) samples were collected by beekeepers and twenty-two (22) samples were collected and processed in accordance with ideal personal hygiene norms and good manufacturing practices. The samples underwent microbiological analysis in search of coliforms at 35 ºC and 45 ºC, as well as fungi enumeration analysis. As for fungi counting, the samples harvested by beekeepers showed values above the maximum established by Resolution nº 15/94 of Common Market Group - Mercosul. The results showed that secondary contamination sources are responsible for the reduction of organic honey quality.

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido para caracterizar a microbiota do mel produzido nas ilhas Floresta e Laranjeira do alto rio Paraná, na região de Porto Brasílio, Paraná (PR). O mel foi coletado diretamente das melgueiras das colônias avaliadas, em três apiários distribuídos nas ilhas Floresta e Laranjeira. O período de coleta das amostras de mel foi de novembro de 2005 a fevereiro de 2006, perfazendo o total de 24 amostras de mel orgânico produzido por abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas. Seguindo o método das normas internacionais da Compendium of Methods for the Microbiology Examination of Foods, os parâmetros analisados foram: presença de coliformes a 35°C e 45°C e quantificação de bolores e leveduras. Verificou-se que todas as amostras apresentaram-se em conformidade com o Regulamento Técnico MERCOSUL de Identidade e Qualidade do Mel (MERCOSUL/GMC/RES no 15/94). As amostras analisadas indicaram excelente qualidade microbiológica para o mel orgânico.

This research was carried out to characterize the microbial flora of the organic honey produced in Paraná River islands. The honey was directly collected in the evaluated colonies, in three apiaries distributed at Floresta and Laranjeira Islands. The collection period was from November 2005 to February 2006. It was evaluated 24 organic honey samples produced by Africanized honeybees. Following the international standard Compendium method for the Microbiology Examination of Foods, the analyzed parameters used were: presence of coliforms at 35°C and 45°C, and molds and yeasts quantification. All samples were in conformity with the MERCOSUL Technical Regulation Identity and Quality for Honey (MERCOSUL/GMC/RES no. 15/94. The analyzed samples indicated excellent microbiologic honey quality.