Stingless Bees: Physicochemical Quality of Honey and Their Contributions to Sustainability

Abstract

Bees are of great ecological importance as they play a crucial role in pollination, which is essential for maintaining ecosystems and biodiversity. Additionally, they are fundamental to food diversity, contributing to the production of various agricultural crops. Economically, bees are valuable not only for the products and by-products they generate, such as honey, but also for their positive impact on agriculture, enhancing crop productivity and quality. Bees of the genus Apis are stinging bees, while bees of the tribe Meliponini, commonly referred to as native, indigenous, or stingless bees (ASF), have an atrophied sting and include species such as Tetragona clavipes (Borá) and Scaptotrigona depilis (Canudo). This study presents the physicochemical characterization of a honey sample from these two ASF species, originating from the western region of Paraná, Brazil. Physicochemical analyses revealed differences in the honey of these species, and some parameters did not meet the standards established by current legislation, which is based on Apis honey. Understanding ASF species and the properties of their honey can help consumers make more conscious and sustainable choices, favoring products that respect the environment, promote bee welfare, and contribute to establishing the quality and identity of products from the western region of Paraná.