EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF HONEY FROM AFRICANIZED AND STINGLESS BEES NATIVES OF THE NORTHEAST OF THE STATE OF PARÁ

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical quality of fresh (np) and pasteurized (p) honey from Africanized bees (Apis mellifera) and two species of stingless bees (Melipona fasciculata and Melipona flavolineata), native to the northeastern region of the State of Pará. Physicochemical analyzes were performed according to the Brazilian legislation recommended for Apis mellifera and the microbiological analysis followed the official methods by the American Public Health Association. The honey from Apis mellifera were within the established physicochemical standards, except for the parameters reducing sugars (np: 57.43%±1.28 and p: 58.53%±1.91), acidity (np: 62.25 cmol/Kg±4.15 and p: 62.67 cmol/Kg±5.75) and humidity (np: 21.02%±0.17 and p: 20.12%±0.07). Meliponine honey was within the values observed in literature for this type of honey. In most of the physicochemical analysis performed, the types of honey were found to be different from each other, with meliponine honey having higher moisture and water activity, which makes it more susceptible to deterioration. A significant difference was observed between fresh honey from Apis mellifera and meliponine when compared to their respective pasteurized honey for moisture analysis (A. melífera, np: 21.02%±0.17 and p: 20.12%±0.07; M. fasciculata, np: 24.33%±0.03 and p: 23.68%±0.16; M. flavolineata, np: 28.53%±0.02 and p: 27.40%±0.04), apparent sucrose (A. melífera, np: 5.75%±0.18 and p: 3.19%±0.23; M. fasciculata, np: 3.89%±0.04 and p: 1.59%±0.03; M. flavolineata, np: 2.12%±0.22 and p: 1.62%±0.02) and HMF (A. melífera, np: 20.99 mg/Kg±0.13 and p: 64.36 mg/Kg±0,07; M. fasciculata, np: 6.54 mg/Kg±0.14 and p: 9.46 mg/Kg±0.09; M. flavolineata, np: 3.59mg/Kg±0.14 and p: 43.19 mg/Kg±0.14). All the samples submitted to the pasteurization process were within the microbiological limits established by current legislation.