Apicultura na região do pampa gaúcho: caracterização do mel e da cadeia produtiva

Abstract

Beekeeping is an expanding activity that has been growing and gaining prominence in the national scenario. The present work aims to characterize the apicultural production of the Pampa biome through the relationship between socioeconomic, productive and technical indicators, characterization and contamination of honey produced. According to the beekeepers interviewed, the biggest problem identified is marketing, followed by financial management, use of more efficient management practices, new technologies and business management to add value to honey and its products, and to enjoy the resources offered by the beekeepers universities. Some attributes were investigated, such as moisture, ash, pH, total acidity, sugars and HMF content and some minerals, all according to established standards, with the exception of a slightly high total acidity. The applicability of this methodology showed that only the Carbendazin fungicide with a concentration of 0.017 mg kg-1 was found among the 80 pesticides analyzed in the 23 honey samples. This shows that the research carried out in different cities of the region of Pampa gaucho, for the analysis of pesticide residues in samples of honey, presented a negative result in relation to the contamination of the bees and consequently of the honey of different cultures that are close to the beehive. It shows that honey from the Pampa region presents physical-chemical characteristics within the reference values in Brazil. Therefore, the research demonstrated a significant positive contribution of beekeeping in the production of safe food for the pampa region and a gain in scientific knowledge for the local community.