Caracterização da produção e qualidade físico-química de méis produzidos no estado de pernambuco

Abstract

The present study had as objective contribute to the characterization of beekeeping in the Pernambuco State and evaluate the physical-chemical quality of the honeys produced in the region. For this, was applied a directed formulary to the representative organ of beekeeping class about the productives and technicals aspects of beekeepers. Was obtained 14 samples of honey by Apis mellifera africanized, stored in sterile plastic vessels was sent to the Beekeeping Products Quality Control Laboratory (CEA-UNITAU). Was observed that the most of beekeepers have of 50 to 100 hives (57,14%), 28,57% of 100 to 200 hives and 14,28% more than 500 hives, being that 85,71% produce 30 to 50 kg honey/hives/flowering. All use the standard hive Langstroth and 85,71% obtain their swarm by capture. About the physical-chemical quality of the honey, was observed that moisture content varied from 18,2% to 22,0%, with mean value of 19,80±1,11; the water activity varied from 0,70 to 0,84 aw, with mean value of 0,79±0,05 aw; the total acidity was 24,91±8,99 meq/kg and the average index of hydroxymethylfurfural was 16,32±17,88 meq/kg. The results obtained are according to the quality limits established by the brazilian legislation, excepted the water activity that exceeded the maximum limit of 0,65 aw. The datas obtained in this paper shows the development of beekeeping in Pernambuco State and the honey presents nice quality.