Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the external and organoleptic characters, microscopic, physico-chemical, chromatic and microbiological parameters of the honey from Myracrodruon urundeuva allemão (Anacardiceae - Aroeira) of the Jequitinhonha River Valley / Brazil, in order to create its geographical indication. In the first stage a data survey was carried out to characterize the production of honey in the Jequitinhonha Valley. In order to evaluate the use of land as well as the forms of agriculture in relation to beekeeping. For characterization of the aroeira honey of the area, the microscopic, physico-chemical and microbiological quality of the honey was evaluated in samples collected in AAPIVAJE. Samples were collected for convenience. Honey production did not correlate with the area occupied, in hectare, by none of the types of land use in the middle region of the Jequitinhonha River Valley. There was also no significant correlation between honey production and the form of agriculture. In general, all samples of honey analyzed had satisfactory physico-chemical characteristics in terms of parameters of sugars, moisture, ashes, pH, acidity, color, taste and consistency. The analyzed samples were free of commercial sugar and dyes and present diastase activity. In this study we can see that all honey samples had a low microbial count of coliforms at 30°C and coliforms at 45°C (thermotolerant), indicating good hygienic-sanitary quality of the honey extraction and processing procedures. In the same way, it was observed that the counts of fungi and yeasts of all the honey were within the recommended parameters in the legislation of Apis. The presence of Salmonella was not detected in any sample of aroeira honey. This study will contribute to the geographical indication for aroeira honey, produced only in the middle region of the Jequitinhonha River Valley.

Key words: Apis mellífera, honey quality, sugars, diastase enzyme, moisture, ashes, acidity, microbial.