Melissopalinological Analysis, Physicochemical Properties, and Chemical Composition of <i>Apis mellifera</i> and <i>Melipona mandacaia</i> Honey from the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region
The Melipona mandacaia bee (mandaçaia) is endemic to the Caatinga biome, and the Apis mellifera bee (Africanized) was introduced in Brazil. A total of 10 and 13 A. mellifera and M. mandacaia honey samples, respectively, were submitted for analysis: melissopalynological analysis, chemical composition, and physicochemical properties (minerals, phenolic and flavonoid content, and antiradical activity). All honey samples from both bee genera showed a higher pollen frequency from Mimosa tenuiflora. Most samples presented abscisic acids, compounds typical of plants under water, in addition to flavonoids. M. mandacaia honeys exhibited higher free acidity, water activity, and moisture compared to the A. mellifera honeys. The multivariate statistical analysis showed a clear separation between honey according to the chemical profile and the bee genus. Honey from bees in the semiarid Northeast of Brazil is a valuable source of bioactive compounds.
Authors
- Celso A. Câmara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8748-8560)
- Francisco de Assis Ribeiro dos Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9246-3146)
- Elenilson de Godoy Alves Filho
- Eva Mônica Sarmento da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0187-6787)
- Rogelio Moreno Santisteban
- Marcel Carvalho de Jesus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5799-9375)
- Adriano França da Cunha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9118-8464)
- Lucas Hilário Nogueira de Sousa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8747-9760)
- Tânia Maria Sarmento Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1887-2598)
- Déborah Munique Nogueira de Sousa-Fontoura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4221-2928)
Institutions
- Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Ceará (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (BR)
- Rede de Química e Tecnologia (PT)
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (BR)
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Food Science & Technology
- Published
- 2025-05-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c01075
- Primary Topic
- Bee Products Chemical Analysis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco