Flora apícola, caracterização fisico-quimica e polínica de amostras de mel de Apis mellifera L., 1758 em apiários nos municípios de Ubiratã e Nova Aurora (PR)

Abstract

Physicochemical properties of honey can vary due to the plant diversity and soil characteristics, or due to seasonal factors. The objectives of this study, presented in two chapters, were: 1) to research plants of interest for beekeeping in the cities of Nova Aurora and Ubirata, located in western and west-central regions of Parana state considering the pollinical analysis of honey sampled throughout the year and 2) to verify if the physicochemical parameters of honey samples are in conformity with those established by the Brazilian standard regulation and to determine, on the basis of physicochemical and pollinical analysis the similarity among samples of Apis mellifera honey from two apiaries. To research plants of interest for beekeeping, plant samples were collected in forest fragments, pastures and croplands, and pollen analysis was performed on honey samples collected monthly. The parameters analyzed were sugars, ash, protein, humidity, hydroxymethylfurfural, color, electrical conductivity, formaldehyde index, viscosity and diastact activity. There were recorded 208 species and 66 families. Asteraceae, Myrtaceae and Solanaceae presented highest number of species. In honey samples there were found 80 pollen types. Mostly of the honey samples were heterofloral. Cultivated plants, such as Glycine max (soybean) and Eucalyptus spp. were representative in some seasons. Exotic species such as Ricinus communis and Melia azedarach were also frequent. However, over 50% of the pollen types are of native species, such as Schinus terebinthifolius, Baccharis spp. Alchornea triplinervia, Parapiptadenia rigida, Hexaclamys edulis, Zanthoxylum sp. Serjania spp., which shows the importance of native vegetation for the survival of hives. All parameters were in agreement to the Brazilian standard regulation and form clusters due to physicochemical similarities concerning to collection sites. Viscosity, pH and formaldehyde index were the parameters that most influenced the grouping of samples. Samples with the dominant pollen types Glycine max and Eucalyptus sp formed clusters similar to groups based on physicochemical characteristics, however, the multivariate classification of honey samples into groups based on pollen types was not an efficient method for grouping polifloral honey samples.