Análises físico-químicas de méis de Apis mellifera, 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) de diferentes regiões do estado do Paraná

Abstract

Honey is considered as a food that has several therapeutic effects, being widely used for nutritional and medicinal purposes, and its composition varies depending on the visited flora and climatic conditions. Due to these facts, there is a need for reliable analysis to confirm its origin. In this work, 31 samples of Apis mellifera honeys produced in six counties from five regions of the State of Paraná, South, Central, East, Northwest and West, in order to identify the physicochemical characteristics of these samples. The parameters of moisture, pH, acidity, level of formol, ash, color, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural, protein, reducing and total sugars, sucrose and soluble solids were analyzed. All samples were submitted according to the limits established by Normative Instruction 11, of October 20, 2000. Some analyzes of phytochemical compounds, flavonoids, total phenols and antioxidant activity were also performed, helping to identify antioxidant potentials and phytochemical components in A. mellifera honeys.