Características físico-químicas e microbiológicas de méis de Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: apidae) provenientes do Território Portal do Sertão, Bahia

Abstract

The present study aimed at assessing the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the honey of Apis mellifera. In order to do so, we collected 49 honey samples directly from beekeepers of different municipalities of Território Portal do Sertão, Bahia, northeastern Brazil. The following physicochemical parameters were assessed: total reducing sugars, reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, humidity, diastatic activity, water activity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), ashes, pH, acidity, electrical conductivity (EC), and color. The following microbiological parameters were assessed: total and thermotolerant coliforms, molds and yeasts, mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococus aureus, and Salmonella sp. Based on the physicochemical analysis, we observed the following median values: total reducing sugars = 74.07%, reducing sugars = 70.41%, apparent sucrose = 2.55%, humidity = 20.50%, diastatic activity = 13.00 Gothe, water activity = 0.68 Aw; HMF = 20,73 mg.kg-1, ashes = 0.26%, pH = 3.62, acidity = 28.75 meq.kg-1, EC = 433.00 μS.cm-1, and color = light amber: 47%, amber: 39%, extra light amber: 12%, and white: 2%. In the microbiological analysis we did not find any coliforms, aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria, C. botulinum, S. aureus or Salmonella spp. However, we found mesophilic bacteria, molds and yeasts. Humidity, HMF, and diastatic activity showed values above the standards established by the Brazilian law. The introduction of standardized management practices of colonies and good manufacturing practices is recommended to improve honey quality.