Antioxidant Content and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Honeys of Apis mellifera of Obudu Cattle Ranch.

Honey is a naturally sweet and viscous fluid produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from the nectar of flowers. Proline, free amino acid, tannins, phenols and flavonoids content were determined in eight samples of Obudu cattle ranch honeys. Antioxidant content (ascorbic acid equivalent, quercetin equivalents, tocopherol content) and free radical scavenging activity of Obudu ranch honeys were determined by standard methods. The relationship existing between proline and antioxidant content with free radical scavenging activity was assessed by mathematical modelling using Levenberg Marquardt algorithm. Results of our study showed that Obudu ranch honey was of high quality having comparable total free amino acid, proline, phytochemical and antioxidant content with good quality honeys found elsewhere. α-Tocopherol content was 16.50 ± 1.40 μg/100 g, quercetin equivalent antioxidant content (QEAC) was 9.43 ± 0.9 mg/100 g, ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant content (AEAC) was 18.56 ± 1.78 mg/100 g, while the mean inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the honey samples against the 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals (RSA: IC50) was evaluated to be 12.74 ± 0.71mg/ml. Proline content, AEAC, QEAC and α-tocopherol were logistically related (r2 = 0.726, 0.971, 0.960 and 0.888 respectively) to the radical scavenging activity. The results obtained from the present study showed that Obudu ranch honeys were of high quality and possessed antioxidant and free radical scavenging property. Since proline content of the tested honey samples were comparable to proline content of unadulterated honey samples elsewhere, the commercial samples may not be adulterated Results showed that traditional usage of the honey for various medicinal usages may be related to its chemical content and radical scavenging property.

Physicochemical quality control of bee honeysfrom Campos Gerais region of Paraná: Brazil

Bee (Apis mellifera L.) honeys have been widely used for therapeutic and nutritional proposes. For evaluating the honey production, physicochemical approaches have been extensively performed to ensure that this hive product is authentic in respect to the legal requirements. The aim of this paper was to discuss the quality control of 93 samples of honey from Campos Gerais region of Paraná State – South Brazil by physicochemical parameters. Moisture, reducing sugars, sucrose, water-insoluble solids, ash, free acidity, pH, activity of diastase, hydroxymethylfurfural content and colour were performed by the standard usual methods. Samples were also classified in floral honeys or honeydew honeys according to the Kirkwood equation. A total of 71 samples (76.34%) showed values in accordance with the Brazilian legal requirements for all the achieved physicochemical parameters. Otherwise, all the studied honeys were likewise within the legislation limits only for water-insoluble solids and colour. For pH, an additional parameter that has not been provided in honey legislation, samples showed values ranging from 3.60 to 5.35. By the Kirkwood equation, 61 honeys were considered as floral products.

Physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile of honey samples from stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponinae) submitted to a dehumidification process

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a dehumidification process on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of stingless-bee honey. Melipona scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata honey samples were submitted to a dehumidification process and to physicochemical (reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, moisture, diastatic activity, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, pH, acidity, and electric conductivity) and sensory evaluations (fluidity, color, aroma, crystallization,flavor,and acceptability). The results indicated that the dehumidification process does not interfere with honey quality and acceptability.

Este estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do processo de desumidificação sobre as características físico-químicas e sensoriais do mel das abelhas sem ferrão. Amostras de méis de Melipona scutellaris e M. quadrifasciata foram submetidas ao processo de desumidificação, passando em seguida por avaliações físico-químicas (açúcares redutores, sacarose aparente, umidade, atividade diastásica, hidroximetilfurfural, cinzas, pH, acidez e condutividade elétrica) e sensoriais (fluidez, cor, aroma, cristalização, sabor e aceitabilidade). Os resultados indicaram que o processo de desumidificação não interfere na qualidade e aceitabilidade do mel.

Caracterização físico-química de amostras de méis produzidas por Apis mellifera L. em fragmento de cerrado no município de Itirapina, São Paulo / Physicochemical characterization of honey samples produced by Apis mellifera L. in a fragment of savannah area in Itirapina county, São Paulo State, Brazil

A fisionomia vegetal mais representativa do país, depois da floresta amazônica, é o cerrado, que ocupa atualmente dois milhões de km² do território brasileiro. Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar as características físico-químicas de amostras de mel produzidas por Apis mellifera em um fragmento de cerrado, localizado em Itirapina, SP (22°14'S e 47°49'W). As amostras foram coletadas mensalmente, em cinco colméias, entre fevereiro e outubro de 2005 e as características avaliadas foram: açúcares redutores, redutores totais, sacarose, umidade, hidroximetilfurfural (HMF), cor, condutividade elétrica, pH, acidez, índice de formol, teor de cinzas, proteínas e viscosidade, além da análise polínica. Os resultados obtidos indicam que os limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira para parâmetros físico-químicos analisados são atendidos pela maioria das amostras de mel. Com relação à análise polínica, foi verificada a presença de Eucalyptus sp. como pólen dominante nos meses de fevereiro a julho e o de Citrus sp. no mês de outubro, em virtude da maior atratividade destes dois cultivos sobre as abelhas.

The most representative vegetation type of the country after the Amazonian forest is the "cerrado" (savannah) area, which currently occupies two million square kilometer of the Brazilian territory. This paper deals with the physicochemical characteristics of honey samples produced by Apis mellifera in a fragment of savannah area located in Itirapina, São Paulo State (22°14'S and 47°49'W), Brazil. The samples were collected monthly, in five beehives, from February to October 2005 and the following characters were determined: reducing sugars, total reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, moisture content, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), color, electrical conductivity, pH, acidity, formol index, ashes, protein and viscosity, beyond the pollinic analysis. The results indicate that the limits established by the current Brazilian honey legislation regarding physicochemical parameters are fulfilled by the majority of the honey samples. Regarding pollinic analysis it was verified the Eucalyptus sp. as dominant pollen from February to July, and of Citrus sp. in October, due to the attractiveness of these two crops to the foraging bees.