Pesquisadores do Centro de Valorização de Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia realizam análises físico-químicas no laboratório da UFPA instalado no PCT Guamá

Viscous, twelve e with a slight touch of acidity. These are usually expected characteristics in some way, but the presence or absence of any of them always indicates a product of good quality. Seja por uma possível adulteração ou pela espécie de abelha que o produce.

To verify the quality of the region, researchers from the Centro de Valorização de Compostos Bioativos da Amazônia (CVACBA) carry out a battery of non-laboratory physical-chemical analyzes of the Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) installed in the Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia (PCT) Guamá, in Belém.

Scholars explain that honey results from a perfect symbiosis between the plant and animal kingdoms. In general, explain them, as abelhas coletam or floral nectar of plants and as processes from digestive enzymes contained in their organisms. The shape, flavors and properties vary according to the raw materials collected and the characteristics of the organisms of different species of abelhas. 

"Despite the fact that it is a completely natural product, there is a lot of adulteration in the market. For example, when it is in nature, new and 'green', it is more fluid. Então to give that characteristic viscosity, some people fervem to try to dehumidify. When it is done, besides losing water, you can "We also lose part of the natural phenolic and sensory properties of the honey," explains researcher Nilton Muto, one of two CVACBA/UFPA scientists.

Through the analyses, it is possible to ensure quality in accordance with the parameters of the Normative Instruction (IN) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Map) that governs the commercialization of mel. Therefore, the second researcher, when the diversity of the fauna and flora of the Amazon region is found, is also found in the multiplicity of patterns.

While the native trees of the region are semi-ferrous, the most accessible to the consumer is usually produced by a tree with iron from Europe and with long introduction into different ecosystems.

"These semi-ferrous seeds produce a honey that is only temporarily here in the Northern region. It has a higher humidity, therefore it is more fluid. It also has a higher acidity as a typical characteristic," reports Muto.

"Some say that because it is out of two parents it should not be marketed, but we do not think otherwise. Because it is of a different nature, it has different qualities, making other forms of use possible. This is more acidic, for example, it will produce a delicacy with a peixinho", endorses the researcher.

More abelhas, more açaí

When we use açaí, especially in irrigated cultures, we can play a central role in the plantation as weedless plants. A study published by Nilton Muto, in volume 15 of Revista Verde (2020), suggests a significant increase in productivity, up to 2.5 times more, depending on the distance between the plant and the abel colonies.

"The pollination of the native abelha increased from 30 to 70% to the observed açaizal production. So, for example, if you have a ton per 100 m² in the production, in the same space, to insert strong enxames of abelha of a certain species, you can play “For a ton of 700 kg, you just have to buy more land,” says Muto. 

The study also observed the increase in the quality of two fruits. "As the palm trees are closer to the farms, we will register branches with more robust fruits and in greater quantities. We will also experience fewer abortions, in other words, less remains of these fruits. The objective now is to expand the research, we are articulating the insertion of these abelhas in the Agroflorestal System of Tomé Açú (SAFTA)," reveals the investigator

Production panorama

The regions of integration of the Rio Capim and two Caetés are the main producers of mel in Pará. The survey of the Planning and Statistics Center (Nuplan) by the Secretariat of Agricultural Development and Fisheries (Sedap) shows that the municipalities of Capitão Poço, Tracuateua, Bragança and Ourém are the largest producers in the state.

The data also show that last year (reference year of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics - IBGE) Para produced 670,284 kilos of honey, appearing in 12th place in the national census.

The agricultural director of Sedap, Brenda Caldas, said that the state still has a production below the expected level, compared to the national census, contributing 1.46% of the production. He explained that Brazil, the state that leads the ranking, is Paraná, with 15.72% of the production of the entire national territory.

"Sedap is working to increase this production, which is no longer comparable, for example, to what it was two years ago. It produced around 110 kilos of honeydew at a time," said Caldas. 

"The trend towards the end of the year is one of growth; people are doing work alongside local producers, not only so that the production curve continues to rise as to improve each time the quality of what is produced," adds Brenda Caldas.