Qualidade microbiológica de méis de Tetragonisca angustula Latreille, 1811 (Apidae, Meliponinae) provenientes da Ilha de Itaparica, estado da Bahia

Abstract

Honey is a nutritious and energy food, susceptible to contamination that may be associated with the transmission of microorganisms by the bees or by processing and improper handling. Among the honeys appreciated by the rural population highlight the honey “jataí” bee (Tetragonisca angustula) that is widely used in food or folk medicine due to show therapeutic properties. Considering the lack of information about honey this work aims to assess the microbiological quality of T. angustula honey`s produced on the Itaparica Island, State of Bahia, Brazil. Therefore were obtained honeys samples of T. angustula directly from the meliponiculturists of Itaparica Island and this honeys samples was forwarded to the Laboratory of the Research Group Insecta (INSECTA) of the Center for Agricultural Sciences, Environmental and Biological of Federal University of Recôncavo of Bahia (UFRB) and proceeded to microbiological evaluations. The microbiological characterization of the honey samples gave is based on the analysis of molds and yeasts, mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, total and thermotolerant coliform and Salmonella spp. Was observed molds and yeasts in 72.2% of the samples and mesophilic bacteria and 100% of the samples. It is not possible to consider the honey of T. angustula sterile, being necessary control and surveillance to ensure the quality of this product.