Meliponinae and Apis mellifera honey in southern Brazil: Physicochemical characterization and determination of pesticides

This study evaluated the physicochemical parameters and the occurrence of pesticides in multi-flower honey produced by six species of Meliponinae and Apis mellifera and collected in different seasons, floral species and sites in southern Brazil. Meliponinae honey were found to exhibit higher moisture, free acidity and sucrose concentration and lower concentration of reducing sugars than the standard of Apis mellifera honey in Brazil. Regarding Apis mellifera honey, reducing sugars and sucrose did not comply with the legislation. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that most of the composition variability was defined by free acidity, moisture, soluble solids, fructose, glucose, and reducing sugars. Determination of pesticides was carried out by the citrate QuEChERS method and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). However, no pesticide residues at concentrations above the limit of quantification were found in the twenty honey samples. Results show that this region has the potential to produce honey.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the physicochemical parameters and pesticide residues in multi-flower honey produced by different bee species in southern Brazil. Differences were found in the composition of Meliponinae honey compared to Apis mellifera honey, with higher moisture and acidity. Pesticide residues were not detected in the honey samples, indicating the region's potential for honey production.