Identificação de mel de melipona seminigra e características da meliponicultura em Maraã e Boa Vista do Ramos, Amazonas

Abstract

Meliponiculture is growing up significantly in Brazil, and the Amazon is the one of the most promising regions for this activity. Nevertheless, the absence of specific legislation for stingless beekeeping on a national level in many cases affects the development of these practices Thus, the aim of this study is to gather physicochemical data and microbiological of Melipona seminigra honey according to collection period and place of origin, as well as to conduct interviews with beekeepers in order to gather information that can assist in the development of specific legislation for the state of Amazonas. This study was conducted in the municipalities of Maraã and Boa Vista do Ramos. Forty samples of Melipona seminigra honey were subjected to physicochemical analysis of moisture, acidity, reducing sugars, surose, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, and microbiological analysis of most probable number of Staphylococus aureus, total and fecal coliforms, presence or absence of Salmonella sp. and fungal count. Eighteen interviews in the two municipalities were conducted. The physicochemical analyzes showed significant variations between the evaluated parameters, and the seasonal collection period interfered significantly in the difference between the mean values of moisture, acidity, reducing sugars, hydroxymethylfurfural and ash (p<0,05). The source location interfered only in the last two parameters mentioned (p<0,05). Producers of Maraã are scattered without a production unit, while Boa Vista Ramos make up a cooperative, reflecting different views on beekeeping regarding farmers desires and difficulties. Income generation was one of the main motivations identifed by producers to begin practicing this activity, despite the need for better organization of both groups interviewed. Laboratory data show the need to develop specific legislation that specifies a form of assessment of honey types. The diversity of profiles identified reflects the intrinsic biodiversity to the product, and should be taken into account, as well as the environmental conditions of each region, in a process of regulation of the activity. The stingless beekeepers believe in the potential of the activity as an income source, owever, secondary to other soures; there is still the need for strengthening of activity in the region. The Amazonas state has enough data to create a specific law for the activity. A new, less bureaucratic honey certification process is necessary, which can be prepared based on technical requirements indicated in this study for the Amazonas state.