Melipona mondury produces a geopropolis with antioxidant, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities

ABSTRACT Geopropolis is a special type of propolis produced by stingless bees. Several pharmacological properties have been described for different types of geopropolis, but there have been no previous studies of the geopropolis from Melipona mondury. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities of M. mondury geopropolis, and determined its chemical profile. The antioxidant activity was determined using in vitro ABTS·+, ·DPPH, and β-carotene/linoleic acid co-oxidation methods. The antibacterial activity was determined using a microdilution method with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The antiproliferative effect was determined in tumor cell lines using the Alamar Blue assay. The chemical profile was obtained using UHPLC-MS and UHPLC-MS/MS. The butanolic fraction had the highest concentration of phenolic compounds and more potent antioxidant properties in all assays. This fraction also had bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against all bacterial strains at low concentrations, especially S. aureus. The hexane fraction had the highest antiproliferative potential, with IC50 values ranging from 24.2 to 46.6 µg/mL in HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia cell) and K562 (human chronic myelocytic leukemia cell), respectively. Preliminary chemical analysis indicates the presence of terpenes and gallic acid in the geopropolis. Our results indicate the therapeutic potential of geopropolis from M. mondury against inflammatory, oxidative, infectious, and neoplastic diseases.

Bionomics of Melipona mondury Smith 1863 (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) in relation to its nesting behavior / Bionomia de Melipona mondury Smith 1863 (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) em relação ao seu comportamento de nidificação

Melipona mondury Smith 1863 is an important stingless bee species pollinator and honey/pollen producer, but threatened by fragmentation of habitats throughout its range. This article presents the identification and partial characterization of nesting substrates, bionomic including population features of M. mondury by comparing data between nest architecture of natural beehive and boxes colonies. Nineteen colonies (13 in boxes and six in beehives) were analyzed with regards to substrate nesting, nest characteristics (e.g. length and width of the combs, height and diameter of the pollen and honey jar) and bee population. The average volume and diameter of the trunks cavities used for nesting of M.mondury were18.4 L and 15.8 cm; the average number of combs was 9.26; the average diameter and height of the honey pots were 2.81 cm and 3.29 cm, and the average volume of honey stored was 15.85 mL; the average height and diameter of pollen pots was 3.21 cm and 2.93 cm, respectively, while the average mass of pollen deposited was equal to 12.56 g. The population ranged from 3537 to 10281 individuals between colonies. The results suggest that the conservation of M. mondury should involve reforestation with native species from Atlantic Forest, and the dimensions of boxes should be based on the average size of the nests in the natural environment in order to support strategies of conservation and sustainable management of this species.

Melipona mondury Smith 1863 é uma espécie de abelha sem ferrão, importante polinizadora, produtora de mel e de pólen, mas ameaçada pela fragmentação dos habitats ao longo de sua área de ocorrência. Este artigo apresenta a identificação e a caracterização parcial dos substratos de nidificação e as características bionômicas, incluindo as populacionais, de M. mondury, comparando os dados de arquitetura do ninho entre colônias de cortiço e caixas rústicas. Dezenove colônias (13 em caixas rústicas e seis em cortiços) foram analisadas em relação aos substratos de nidificação, características do ninho (e.g.: comprimento e largura dos favos de cria, altura e diâmetro dos potes de pólen e mel) e população das abelhas. Foram encontrados volume e diâmetro médios da cavidade dos troncos nidificados por M. mondury, de 18,4 L e 15,8 cm; número médio de favos de cria de 9,26; diâmetro e altura médios dos potes de mel de 2,81 cm e 3,29 cm, sendo o volume médio de mel armazenado de 15,85 mL; altura e diâmetro médios dos potes de pólen de 3,21 cm e 2,93 cm, enquanto a massa média de pólen depositado foi de 12,56 g. A população variou de 3 537 a 10 281 indivíduos entre as colônias. Os resultados sugerem que a conservação de M. mondury deve envolver o reflorestamento com espécies nativas da Mata Atlântica; e as dimensões das caixas racionais foram definidas com base no tamanho médio dos ninhos no ambiente natural, para subsidiar estratégias conservacionistas e de manejo racional.

New occurrence of B chromosomes in Partamona helleri (Friese, 1900) (Hymenoptera, Meliponini)

Cytogenetic analyses of the stingless bee Partamona helleri collected in the state of Bahia, Northeast Brazil revealed the chromosome numbers n = 18 in the haploid males and 2n = 35 in the diploid females. All karyotypes displayed one large acrocentric B chromosome, which differs from the minute B chromosomes previously described in the populations from southeastern Brazil. Giemsa staining, C-banding and DAPI/CMA3 fluorochrome staining also revealed a remarkable interpopulational divergence regarding both the regular karyotype and the B chromosomes. The B chromosomes found in the samples from Jequié, Bahia, were entirely heterochromatic, while those found in Cravolândia, Bahia, displayed a euchromatic portion at the telomeric end of the long arm. CMA3 labeling sites varied from seven to eight between the two localities in Bahia, due to the presence of an extra GC-rich block in the karyotype of the samples from Jequié. This is the first report of a large B chromosome in P. helleri and reveals the occurrence of a geographic differentiation within this species.

Cytogenetic and morphological diversity in populations of Astyanax fasciatus (Teleostei, Characidae) from Brazilian northeastern river basins

In the present work, morphometric and cytogenetic analyses were carried out in populations of the fish Astyanax fasciatus (Characidae) from Contas and Recôncavo Sul River basins (State of Bahia, Brazil), providing new data on the genetic structure of this species along the region. Based on morphologic measurements, we observed that populations from the same hydrographic basin were more similar to each other (Contas and Preto do Costa Rivers), and remarkably divergent from Recôncavo Sul (Mineiro Stream), as indicated by clustering analysis. Cytogenetic data revealed a same diploid number for all populations (2n = 48), but distinct karyotype formulae (8M+24SM+12ST+4A, FN = 92 in Contas River, 8M+24SM+10ST+6A, FN = 90 in Preto do Costa River, and 8M+18SM+16ST+6A, FN = 90 in Mineiro Stream). Ag-NORs were identified at telomeres on a subtelocentric chromosome pair, although multiple ribosomal sites have been detected in some specimens from Contas River. These results show that A. fasciatus populations from northeastern river basins are well differentiated and present peculiar cytogenetic features when compared to populations from other regions. Therefore, the apparent chromosomal plasticity of this species, likely to represent a complex of cryptic forms, is corroborated. Finally, we demonstrated that morphological features can be successfully used to support other sources of genetic information.

Divergência genética em Melipona scutellaris Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) com base em caracteres morfológicos / Genetic divergence in Melipona scutellaris Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on the basis of morphologic characters

A Melipona scutellaris (Uruçu) é uma espécie endêmica do Nordeste brasileiro, sendo importante não só para a produção de mel e pólen, mas também para a polinização de Fanerógamas. Foram utilizadas técnicas de análise multivariada para comparar populações de M. scutellaris de 8 regiões da Bahia. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características das asas: comprimento e largura das asas anterior e posterior, comprimento da nervura radial, medial e cubital das asas anterior e posterior, comprimento da nervura medial + cubital, da nervura radio sectar + medial – 1º , da nervura radio sectar + medial – 2º , comprimento da nervura anal e comprimento da nervura medial-cubital das asas anteriores e comprimento da nervura radial sectar da asa posterior. Foram necessárias as três primeiras variáveis canônicas para acumular 85% da variação. A análise de agrupamento realizado utilizando distância D2 de Mahalanobis levou a formação de três grupos distintos conforme a altitude, um formado por colônias a 1100m de altitude, um segundo grupo formado por colônias que estão entre 0 e 560m e o terceiro grupo formado por colônias que estão localizadas entre 600 e 964m de altitude. Indicando que provavelmente, as conformações geográficas existentes nestas regiões estejam impedindo que ocorra o fluxo gênico entre essas populações.

The Melipona scutellaris (Uruçu) is a Brazilian northeast endemic bee species, it is important not alone for the production of honey and pollen, but also for the polinization of Fanerógamas. Techniques of multivaried analysis had been used to compare colonies of M. scutellaris from 8 differents regions of the Bahia state, Brazil. The evaluated characteristics had been: length and width of the forewings and posterior wing, length of the radial, medial and cubital venation of the forewings and posterior wings; length of the medial + cubital venation, length of radio sectar + medial - 1º venation, length of the radio sectar + medial - 2º venation, length of the forewings anal venation, length of the medial-cubital venation, all of them in the forewings; and length of the radial sectar venation of the posterior wing. The first three canonic variable had been necessary to accumulate 85% of the variation. The grouping analysis using the Mahalanobis D2 distance shows formation of three distinct groups according to altitude. The first was formed by colonies at 1.100m of altitude, the second was formed by colonies at 0 and 560m of altitude, and the third group was formed by colonies at 600 and 964m of altitude. This results suggest tha the altitude in these regions are hindering the genic flow between these populations.

Inventário da fauna de abelhas (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) em uma área de caatinga da região de Jequié, BA / Inventor of bee fauna (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in a semi-arid área in region of Jequié, Bahia State

O estudo foi realizado no município de Jequié (13º 52’ 33’’ S; 40º 13’ 13’’ W; Altitude: 233m) localizado na região sudeste da Bahia. Para a captura dos indivíduos utilizou-se o método de varredura das plantas floridas ao longo da área analisada, as coletas foram realizadas no período entre maio de 2002 a maio de 2004. A fauna de abelhas foi composta por 49 espécies, representadas por 25 gêneros, distribuídas em cinco famílias. A família Apidae foi a melhor representada, com 36 espécies (74%), Halictidae, seis (12%), Megachilidae, cinco (10%) e as menos representadas foram Andrenidae e Coletidae, cada uma com 1 espécie (2% cada). Esse inventário forneceu subsídios para possíveis programasde conservação e manejo de espécies de abelhas, e que poderão ser utilizadas também em programas de manejosustentável e técnicas de polinização, utilizando os recursos apícolas naturais existentes.

The present study was carried out in the city of Jequié (13º 52’ 33’’ S; 40º 13’ 13’’ W; 233m high) located on southeastern state of Bahia, The individuals were collected through sweeping net method on floweredplants within the analyzed area from May 2002 to May 2004. The bee fauna was composed of 49 species, represented by 25 genus, distributed into five families. The family Apidae was the most representative one, with 36 species (74%), followed by Halictidae, with six species (12%), and Megachilidae, with five species (10%). The less representative families were Andrenidae and Coletidae, each one with one specie (2% each). This inventory contributed tools for further conservation and management programs of bee species, whether threatened or not, which can be used in management and polinization programs, using the currently available honey bee resources.

Karyotype characterization of Trigona fulviventris Guérin, 1835 (Hymenoptera, Meliponini) by C banding and fluorochrome staining: report of a new chromosome number in the genus

Although many species of the genus Trigona have been taxonomically described, cytogenetic studies of these species are still rare. The aim of the present study was to obtain cytogenetic data by conventional staining, C banding and fluorochrome staining for the karyotype characterization of the species Trigona fulviventris. Cytogenetic analysis revealed that this species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 32, different from most other species of this genus studied so far. This variation was probably due to the centric fusion in a higher numbered ancestral karyotype, this fusion producing the large metacentric chromosome pair and the lower chromosome number observed in Trigona fulviventris. Heterochromatin was detected in the pericentromeric region of the first chromosome pair and in one of the arms of the remaining pairs. Base-specific fluorochrome staining with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) showed that the heterochromatin was rich in AT base pairs (DAPI+) except for pair 13, which was chromomycin A3 (CMA3) positive indicating an excess of GC base pairs. Our data also suggests that there was variation in heterochromatin base composition.