Abstract Tetragonisca fiebrigi, is a bee of the subfamily Meliponidae traditionally known as Yateí. Its honey differs from the honey produced by Apis mellifera because it is less viscous, more acidic, has sweetness and particular aromas. It is important to know the behavior of yatei honey in different storage conditions, in order to preserve the characteristics of the honey and ensure the product as harmless. The objective was to determine the influence of temperature, packaging type and storage time of Yateí honey on antimicrobial properties, microbial (Total Mesophilic Aerobic and Mold and Yeast Count) and physicochemical parameters (pH, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), acidity, moisture content and diastase), with methodology of national and international standards. The antimicrobial effect was variable against strains of the genus Staphylococcus aureus. The most significant microbiological quality levels were Mold and Yeast counts (> 102 CFU / g). The physicochemical parameters with the most significant values were acidity (to: 42.5 meq acid/kg honey), moisture content (to: 26%) and HMF (to: 3.8mg/kg honey). Storage at refrigeration temperature maintained standard values close to Apis mellifera honey during 180 days; whereas at room temperature it was better to maintain antimicrobial power. No significant difference was found between plastic storage containers vs. glass.

ABSTRACT In Southern South America Lithodes santolla and L. confundens are the most valuable king crabs species, specially due to their high yields and their high acceptance in the markets. From a physiological point of view, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously produced as by-products of cell respiration. These ROS are transformed into less toxic metabolites by antioxidant enzymes. The aim of the present study was to determine in Lithodes santolla (from San Jorge Gulf) and L. confundens (from Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego) the baseline status of both antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation levels. Activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as lipid peroxidation were measured in the muscle, gills and hepatopancreas. Both species showed antioxidant enzyme activities, and the gills were the organs with the highest CAT enzyme activities. CAT and GST activities were higher in muscle and gills, respectively, in L. confundens compared with L. santolla, whereas lipid peroxidation was low in both organs. These differences between both species suggest that L. confundens is more capable to afford oxidative stress than L. santolla, which may be a response to the common occurrence of L. confundens at the intertidal during the spring low tides. Differences in the analysed parameters could be attributed to intrinsic adaptation features of each king crab species and/or to environmental conditions of each particular study area. Furthermore, our results showed that parameters as CAT, GST and lipid peroxidation could be proposed as biomarkers of oxidative stress in Lithodes santolla and L. confundens.

En el sur de Sudamérica Lithodes santolla y L. confundens representan las especies de centollas más apreciadas, debido a sus altos rendimientos y aceptación en los mercados. Desde un punto de vista fisiológico, las especies reactivas del oxígeno (ROS) son continuamente producidas como productos de la respiración celular. Estos ROS se transforman en metabolitos menos tóxicos por medio de enzimas antioxidantes. El objetivo fue determinar en Lithodes santolla (del Golfo San Jorge) y L. confundens (de la costa atlántica de Tierra del Fuego) el nivel de base de la actividad enzimática antioxidante y los niveles de peroxidación de lípidos. Las enzimas catalasa (CAT) y glutatión-S-transferasa (GST) y la peroxidación de lípidos se midieron en branquias, músculo y hepatopáncreas. Ambas especies mostraron actividad enzimática antioxidante, mientras que las branquias presentaron la mayor actividad enzimática de CAT. La actividad de CAT y GST fue mayor en L. confundens en el músculo y branquias respectivamente, comparado con L. santolla; mientras que la peroxidación de lípidos fue menor en ambos órganos. Estas diferencias entre ambas especies sugieren que L. confundens sería más eficiente ante situaciones de estrés oxidativo, debido probablemente a los periodos de anoxia que experimenta durante las bajas mareas de primavera. Además, estas diferencias podrían ser atribuidas a características intrínsecas de adaptación de cada especie de centolla y/o a condiciones ambientales de cada área de estudio en particular. Parámetros como CAT, GST y peroxidación de lípidos podrían proponerse como biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo en Lithodes santolla y L. confundens.