Honey of Colombian Stingless Bees: Nutritional Characteristics and Physicochemical Quality Indicators

Abstract

The geographic location of Colombia and its mega-biodiversity have been identified as advantages for meliponiculture. This study analyzed pot-honey samples from different genera native from different regions of Colombia. The number of analyzed honey samples varies according to the genus and the species (Frieseomelitta sp., Melipona compressipes, Melipona favosa, Melipona eburnea, Melipona sp., Nannotrigona testaceicornis, Nannotrigona sp., Paratrigona sp., Partamona sp., Plebeia sp., Scaptotrigona limae, Scaptotrigona sp., Tetragona sp., and Tetragonisca angustula). The largest number of samples corresponds to the genera Melipona and Tetragonisca because there is ample breeding of those species. Physicochemical analyses performed were: moisture and carbohydrate (glucose, fructose and disaccharides), ash and mineral contents, color, pH, free acidity, diastase activity, HMF, conductivity and specific rotation. This chapter summarizes existing information regarding the physicochemical properties, nutritional information and quality of Colombian pot-honey. The ranges for physicochemical features of Melipona genus were: moisture (24.8–27.6 g/100 g), fructose (36.7–39.3 g/100 g), glucose (30.9–38.5 g/100 g), disaccharides (3.1–6 g/100 g), ash (0.01–0.20 g/100 g), color (34.4–80 mm Pfund) and the ranges for physicochemical features of T. angustula were as follows: moisture (22–26.6 g/100 g), fructose (24.7–35.6 g/100 g), glucose (17.1–29.9 g/100 g), disaccharides (1.8–6.4 g/100 g), ash (0.21–0.28 g/100 g), color (49–70 mm Pfund), pH (4.2–4.5), free acidity (39.2–62.1 meq/kg), diastase activity (16.7–25.9 DN), HMF (1.3–3.3 mg/kg), conductivity (601–715 μS/cm), and specific rotation (1.3–3.9). It is necessary to continue the characterization process that leads to a better knowledge of this valuable product, and the establishment of laws that regulate falsification and adulteration.