Análise palinológica e origem botânica de uma amostra de mel do Cerrado mineiro

Abstract

Honey, a product of the tireless pollination work carried out by bees, especially the species Apis mellifera (European honeybee) retains a significant amount of pollen even after processing. This allows microscopic visualization and the botanical and geographical identification of the pollen grains. The sample analyzed originated from a fragment of the Cerrado biome, specifically from Sítio Maria Lurdes, located in the Triângulo Mineiro region, in the municipality of Ituiutaba. The samples were collected and taken to the Federal University of Uberlândia, where they were analyzed at the Microscopy, Morphometry and Identification Laboratory (LAMMI), in this study eleven flowering plant species were identified during the collection day, and their pollen grains were mounted on slides using the Wodehouse (1935) method to compare with the pollen found in the honey sample. Sensory analysis revealed that the honey had an amber color, sweet taste, and creamy texture, with no crystallization. A total of 449 pollen grains were counted on seven slides, of which 31% belonged to the Malpighiaceae family (dominant), 19% to Euphorbiaceae (secondary), and 13% to Myrtaceae (isolated), with statistically significant differences (F21,2=1.273; p=0.0024). The predominance of Malpighiaceae, particularly Byrsonima crassifolia, (L.) Kunth. Highlights the importance of this family during the dry season, a critical period for hive survival. The findings underscore the need to preserve native vegetation surrounding apiaries to ensure continuous floral resources and support sustainable beekeeping practices.