aline

Quim. Nova, Vol. 32, No. 2, 303-308, 2009

Bruno de Almeida Souza*
Núcleo de Pesquisas com Abelhas, Embrapa Meio-Norte, CP 01, 64006-220 Teresina - PI, Brasil
Luís Carlos Marchini
Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”,
Universidade de São Paulo, CP 09, 13418-900 Piracicaba - SP, Brasil
Melissa Oda-Souza
Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo,
CP 09, 13418-900 Piracicaba - SP, Brasil
Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho
Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, CP 118, 44380-000 Cruz das Almas - BA, Brasil
Rogério Marcos de Oliveira Alves
Escola Agrotécnica Federal de Catu, Rua Barão de Camaçari, 118, 48110-000 Catu - BA, Brasil

Artigo

Caracterização do mel produzido por espécies de Melipona Illiger, 1806 (apidae: meliponini) da região nordeste do Brasil: 1. Características físico-químicas

Recebido em 16/1/08; aceito em 8/9/08; publicado na web em 5/2/09

CHARACTERIZATION OF HONEY PRODUCED BY SPECIES OF Melipona Illiger, 1806 (APIDAE: MELIPONINI) FROM
THE NORTHEAST AREA OF BRAZIL: 1. PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Thirty three honey samples produced by four Melipona species from different areas of the State of Bahia, were analyzed with the aim to determine their physico-chemical characteristics, contributing to the establishment of standards for quality control. The majority of the average values for physicochemical parameters fulfilled the quality criteria established by the Brazilian and international Legislations for Apis honey, except for moisture content, which afforded higher values. Concerning the high number of samples wich did not fit the limits for reducing sugars, it is necessary to define minimum values in order to characterize Melipona honeys, as well as criteria for use of diastasic activity.

Keywords: stingless bee;