Physical-chemical characterization of honey of guarana (“Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis”) in Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso

Abstract

It was determined the physical-chemical characteristics and the pollinic origins of 17 samples of honey from guarana plant cultivation (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis), produced by Apis mellifera L, Scaptotrigona sp. L and Melipona seminigra sp honey bee species in Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Pollinic and physical-chemical analysis were determined, considering the variables humidity rate, free acidity, reducing sugar in inverted sugar, apparent sucrose, ashes and solids insoluble in water, comparing the samples to the identity and quality standards established by the local legislation. Means comparisons were made by the Dunnet test at 5% probability. The humidity rate for honey produced by indigenous honey bees – Scaptotrigona sp and Melipona seminigra sp – was high when compared to honey produced by Africanized honey bees, and the levels of reducing sugars for Scaptotrigona sp were low. Any other determinations were accordingly to standards imposed by Brazilian legislation. Through pollinic analysis, it was verified that the pollen from guarana flower was present in all samples of honey, being considered dominant pollen, with 80% of the pollen grain in the samples, showing the apicultural pontential of this species as a honey plant.