The recent decline in managed honey bee populations, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), has caused scientific, ecological, and economic concern. Research into the formation of reactive oxygen ...species (ROS), antioxidative defense mechanisms, and oxidative stress can contribute to our understanding of bee survival and conservation of this species. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) enzymes together with levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in summer and winter honey bees sampled from three colonies. One colony was stationary (C1), entering the winter period having accumulated Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae) honey, and two were migratory (C2 and C3), entering the winter period with mainly Tilia (Malvaceae) and Brassica (Brassicaceae) honey, respectively. Compared to summer workers, winter worker bees had decreased SOD and GST activity, and MDA level, whereas CAT activity increased in all three colonies. We also demonstrated that seasonality is the main factor responsible for changes in antioxidant enzymes and MDA levels in worker honey bees. Overall, our results indicate a difference between summer and winter worker bees, pointing at a reduced level of antioxidant enzyme defenses during overwintering which may be due to a decrease in production of ROS. The decreased levels of MDA measured in winter honey bees confirm this. As ROS are actively used by insects as a defense mechanism to fight pathogens, we suggest that reduced production of ROS contributes to higher susceptibility of winter honey bees to infections and reduced overwinter survival.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound treatment for preventing honey crystallization on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of unifloral honey and polyfloral ...honey. Honey samples without any treatment were used as a control group for comparison. The effect of applying ultrasound treatment was evaluated by studying over time the tendency of crystallization, the rheological properties of honey and chemical and microbiological properties. The parameters analyzed for the two groups of samples (treated and untreated with ultrasound), which did not vary or had small variations during the research were water content, acidity, water activity, glucose, fructose, sucrose, glucose/water ratio, glucose/fructose ratio. The crystallization process was installed in the control samples from the first month of the study, and much later in the treated samples. The color of the untreated samples varied considerably, and the color of the treated ones remained stable or slightly varied. For the control samples, the smallest variation in hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) concentration was in raspberry honey (5%), and the most significant variation was in honeydew honey (30%). For the treated samples, the largest variation of this parameter was found in tillia honey (127%), and the smallest variation was in rapeseed honey (26%). The microbiological quality was higher for the treated samples. In the ultrasound-treated samples of acacia honey, honeydew honey and grassland honey, yeasts, molds or standard plate counts (SPCs) were undetectable. For control samples, SPC values were <10-50 cfu/g. Ultrasound-treated samples maintained their SPC parameter levels or were thus reduced (<10-20 cfu/g). Yeasts and molds were undetectable or had value between <10 and 10 cfu/g. The yeasts and the molds ranged in the control samples between <10 and 40 cfu/g.
In the present study aimed to evaluate , by means of physical - chemical and sensory quality of eight
samples of honeys wild multiflorais Africanized bee ( Apis mellifera L.) , produced in four ...different areas of the
municipality of Apodi soils . Most samples showed quality standards according to Brazilian legislation ¬ tion in force,
showing to be suitable for human consumption , which possi ¬ bles honey production on a commercial scale in the rural
regions of this county. Among the main highlight of the analyzed parameters is the high moisture content to areas of the
valley and stone that was between 20.0 % and 21.0 % , with a mean value of 18.92 % . And low moisture content to
areas of sand and plateau with an average of 19.0 % . In the sensory analysis performed with all samples was observed
that most like the general impression of the product bee stating that probably would buy the product. With respect to the
attribute flavor, it was found that the tasters approve the honeys have a low acidity , low astringency and is slightly
bitter, on the other hand claim that is mildly sweet and spicy. From the results obtained , one can conclude that the
majority of honey analyzed in this work is suitable for human consumption and with good acceptance by consumer.
Thus, it is possible to foster the development of beekeeping with quality in all these four geographical area of the
municipality of apodi.
No presente trabalho objetivou-se avaliar, mediante análises físico-química e sensoriais, a qualidade de oito
amostras de méis silvestres multiflorais de abelhas africanizadas (Apis mellifera L.), produzidos em quatros áreas de
diferentes solos do município de Apodi. A maioria das amostras apresentou padrões de qualidade de acordo com a
legislação brasileira em vigor, evidenciando ser apropriada ao consumo humano, o que possibilita a produção de mel
em escala comercial nas regiões rurais desse município. Entre o principal destaque dos parâmetros analisados está o alto
teor de umidade para as áreas do vale e pedra que ficou entre 20,0% e 21,0%, com valor médio de 18,92%. E baixo teor
de umidade para as áreas da areia e chapada com média de 19,0%. Na análise sensorial, realizada com todas as
amostras observou-se que a maioria gostou da impressão geral desse produto apícola, afirmando que provavelmente
compraria o produto. Com relação ao atributo sabor, foi verificado que parte dos provadores aprovam que os méis
possuem uma baixa acidez, baixa adstringência e é pouco amargo, por outro lado afirmam que é medianamente doce e
pouco picante. Por intermédio dos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que a maioria dos méis analisados neste trabalho
está adequada para o consumo humano e com boa aceitabilidade pelo consumidor. Dessa forma, é possível fomentar o
desenvolvimento da apicultura com qualidade em todos esses quatros área geográfica do município de apodi.
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