Influence of stingless bee genus (Scaptotrigona and Melipona) on the mineral content, physicochemical and microbiological properties of honey.

ABSTRACT: Stingless bees, important pollinating insects in the tropics, produce honey whose unique quality features differentiate their origin. The feasibility of multivariate data analysis for quality discrimination of stingless bee honey from different genera (Melipona bicolor, quadrifasciata, marginata and Scaptotrigona bipunctata) by mineral content, physicochemical and microbiological properties were investigated. The principal component analysis explained 72.12% of the total variance of the data, and the separation into two main groups in a scatter plot was observed. Group 2 was formed by Scaptotrigona genus, that showed the highest values of pH, ash, and soluble solids. Potassium was the most abundant mineral followed by calcium and sodium for both groups quantified by inductively coupled pla

SUBMITTER: Avila S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6801274 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature