Physicochemical composition and microbiological quality of honey produced from Tiúba, <i>Melipona fasciculata</i> (Apidae, Meliponini) in Brazil

The Melipona fasciculata is a stingless bee and her honey has properties and flavor appreciated by different consumers. Its production provides a source of income for poor communities in Maranhão, Brazil. However, the absence of Brazilian legislation for this type of honey, as it exists for Apis mellifera, prevents the expansion of the commercialization of M. fasciculata honey. This study was carried out to identify microbiological and physicochemical patterns of honey in seven important locations in the Baixada Maranhense, in the north of Brazil. The honeys showed good hygienic-sanitary quality, in line with Brazilian legislation for A. mellifera honey and the proposal for regulation of stingless bee (SLB) honey. However, 16% of samples belonging to five locations showed contamination by mesophilic bacteria. The physicochemical parameters were variable, mainly moisture indexes (%), with means between 19.35 to 21.22. The HMF content of São Bento (70.70 mg.kg−1) was above current Brazilian legislation. Total acidity showed higher averages in half of São Bento, Viana and Palmeirândia when compared to legislation and the SLB (Max: 50 mEq.kg−1). As for the principal component analysis, HMF and TA showed a positive correlation. With regards to reducing sugar content, only the mean in Peri-Mirim city reached values registered with the Apis legislation and the proposed SLB. In general, the honeys in this study showed rates compatible with those of other SLB, however, in disagreement with parameters required by the Brazilian regulation of Apis, motivating the establishment of specific legislation for honey in Maranhão.