Date is one of important products that play important role in economy and nutritional health in some tropical regions of the world. Liquid sugar of date is produced by date syrup after extraction of phases, purification, and elimination of pectin compounds, protein, fiber, and color. This liquid has some characterizes such as 73% sugar with Brix 68-74% and it consists of mainly by glucose and fructose with similar ratio to honey hive and corn syrup with high fructose (HFCS) and It’s color varies from brown to bright yellow. In this study, bleaching and clarification of keloteh variety date syrup to produce liquid sugar were investigated by response surface methodology (RSM) and face central composite design (FCCD). Three main factors including temperature (30-70°C), pH (4-6), and time (40-120 minute) to determine the optimal condition of maximum activity of these two components (bentonite and gelatin) by constant adding were investigated. Also there are some factors such as color, ash, and absorption was determined. The optimal value of added bentonite and gelatin is determined 1-3 g/L and 0.02-0.08 g/L, respectively, which the desired amount is 3 and 0.05g/L, respectively. In low temperature and pH, the increased action of bentonite and gelatin is observed during passing the time and also high amount of impurities were removed. The lowest amount of these responses for color at 420 nm is (4302 ICUMSA), ash (0.421%) and absorption at 660 nm is 0.059. It is revealed that this technique can diminish the values of syrup color (68.25%), ash (8.7%), and absorption up to 89.46%, by comparing the values in the optimal point of clarified syrup by bentonite and gelatin with traditional method.

BACKGROUND: Honeybees provide economically and ecologically vital pollination services to crops and wild plants. During the last decade elevated colony losses have been documented in Europe and North America. Despite growing consensus on the involvement of multiple causal factors, the underlying interactions impacting on honeybee health and colony failure are not fully resolved. Parasites and pathogens are among the main candidates, but sublethal exposure to widespread agricultural pesticides may also affect bees. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To investigate effects of sublethal dietary neonicotinoid exposure on honeybee colony performance, a fully crossed experimental design was implemented using 24 colonies, including sister-queens from two different strains, and experimental in-hive pollen feeding with or without environmentally relevant concentrations of thiamethoxam and clothianidin. Honeybee colonies chronically exposed to both neonicotinoids over two brood cycles exhibited decreased performance in the short-term resulting in declining numbers of adult bees (-28%) and brood (-13%), as well as a reduction in honey production (-29%) and pollen collections (-19%), but colonies recovered in the medium-term and overwintered successfully. However, significantly decelerated growth of neonicotinoid-exposed colonies during the following spring was associated with queen failure, revealing previously undocumented long-term impacts of neonicotinoids: queen supersedure was observed for 60% of the neonicotinoid-exposed colonies within a one year period, but not for control colonies. Linked to this, neonicotinoid exposure was significantly associated with a reduced propensity to swarm during the next spring. Both short-term and long-term effects of neonicotinoids on colony performance were significantly influenced by the honeybees' genetic background. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Sublethal neonicotinoid exposure did not provoke increased winter losses. Yet, significant detrimental short and long-term impacts on colony performance and queen fate suggest that neonicotinoids may contribute to colony weakening in a complex manner. Further, we highlight the importance of the genetic basis of neonicotinoid susceptibility in honeybees which can vary substantially.

The work was carried out in the area of Zamora Huayco in the Canton of Loja, with 10 American Langstroth hives, divided into two groups, each of five hives. Two treatments were tested: Treatement one with a single queen and treatment two with two queens. The comparison of means design was used, with unpaired data and the following variables were analyzed: Evolution of the hive (frames with plenty of bees, brood, presence of queen, reserves of pollen and honey), honey production, costs production and profitability. The bee rate for the abundant frames was 13.78 bees for hives with a queen and 17.98 for the hives with two queens. The frame rate was higher with treatment breeding two (two Queens) with an average of 10.83 versus 7.18 of the treatement 1, each treatment counted with their queens throughout the investigation phase. Regarding reserves of pollen and honey both treatments showed a progressive increase in relation to the visits, about the presence of queens, both treatments had their own queen throughout the research phase. The yield on treatment two was 134.36% with net income of $ 1,740.00, while treating one posted a return of 115.72% with net income of $ 1,244.00. | El trabajo se ejecutó en el sector de Zamora Huayco del cantón Loja, con 10 colmenas Langstroth Americana, distribuidas en dos grupos, de cinco colmenas cada uno. Se avaluaron dos tratamientos: el tratamiento uno, con una sola reina y el tratamiento dos, con dos reinas. Se utilizó el diseño comparación de medias, con datos no pareados y se analizaron las siguientes variables: Evolución de la colmena (marcos con abundante abeja, marcos con cría, presencia de reina, reservas de polen y de miel), producción de miel, costos de producción y rentabilidad. El promedio de marcos con abundantes abejas fue de 13,78 para las colmenas con una reina y 17,98 para las colmenas de dos reinas. El promedio de marcos con cría fue superior al tratamiento dos (dos reinas) con un promedio de 10.83 frente al tratamiento uno con 7,18 los dos tratamientos contaron con sus reinas durante toda la fase investigativa. En lo referente a reserva de polen y miel los dos tratamientos presentaron un incremento progresivo en relación a las visitas realizadas, La presencia de reinas de los dos tratamientos contaron con su respetiva reina durante toda la fase investigativa. La rentabilidad en el tratamiento dos fue de 134,36% con un ingreso neto de 1740,00 dólares, mientras que el tratamiento uno obtuvo una rentabilidad de 115,72% con un ingreso neto de 1244,00 dólares.

The work was carried out in the area of Zamora Huayco in the Canton of Loja, with 10 American Langstroth hives, divided into two groups, each of five hives. Two treatments were tested: Treatement one with a single queen and treatment two with two queens. The comparison of means design was used, with unpaired data and the following variables were analyzed: Evolution of the hive (frames with plenty of bees, brood, presence of queen, reserves of pollen and honey), honey production, costs production and profitability. The bee rate for the abundant frames was 13.78 bees for hives with a queen and 17.98 for the hives with two queens. The frame rate was higher with treatment breeding two (two Queens) with an average of 10.83 versus 7.18 of the treatement 1, each treatment counted with their queens throughout the investigation phase. Regarding reserves of pollen and honey both treatments showed a progressive increase in relation to the visits, about the presence of queens, both treatments had their own queen throughout the research phase. The yield on treatment two was 134.36% with net income of $ 1,740.00, while treating one posted a return of 115.72% with net income of $ 1,244.00. | El trabajo se ejecutó en el sector de Zamora Huayco del cantón Loja, con 10 colmenas Langstroth Americana, distribuidas en dos grupos, de cinco colmenas cada uno. Se avaluaron dos tratamientos: el tratamiento uno, con una sola reina y el tratamiento dos, con dos reinas. Se utilizó el diseño comparación de medias, con datos no pareados y se analizaron las siguientes variables: Evolución de la colmena (marcos con abundante abeja, marcos con cría, presencia de reina, reservas de polen y de miel), producción de miel, costos de producción y rentabilidad. El promedio de marcos con abundantes abejas fue de 13,78 para las colmenas con una reina y 17,98 para las colmenas de dos reinas. El promedio de marcos con cría fue superior al tratamiento dos (dos reinas) con un promedio de 10.83 frente al tratamiento uno con 7,18 los dos tratamientos contaron con sus reinas durante toda la fase investigativa. En lo referente a reserva de polen y miel los dos tratamientos presentaron un incremento progresivo en relación a las visitas realizadas, La presencia de reinas de los dos tratamientos contaron con su respetiva reina durante toda la fase investigativa. La rentabilidad en el tratamiento dos fue de 134,36% con un ingreso neto de 1740,00 dólares, mientras que el tratamiento uno obtuvo una rentabilidad de 115,72% con un ingreso neto de 1244,00 dólares.

As riquezas naturais de São Tomé e Príncipe, tais como a flora diversificada, o clima e a abundância de água, associadas à eficiência das abelhas locais, permite pensar na apicultura como uma aposta promissora para o país, uma vez que, associada à preservação do ecossistema, constitui uma excelente oportunidade de negócio e fonte de rendimento para as comunidades locais. A apicultura, baseada na gestão sustentável de abelhas Apis mellifera, para além de permitir extrair o mel, a própolis, o pólen, a geleia real, a cera, entre outros produtos da colmeia, é uma atividade do agronegócio que requer um baixo investimento inicial, potenciando a geração de emprego e rendimento, o que permite a manutenção das famílias no seu meio e ainda pode despertar a consciência ambiental, convertendo os apicultores em defensores da natureza. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar, analisar e descrever toda a atividade em São Tomé e Príncipe associada com a exploração das abelhas e dos seus produtos, com vista à apresentação de linhas orientadoras para desenvolvimento da apicultura no país. Para isso, foram realizadas entrevistas diretas a apicultores e “caçadores de mel”, bem como visitas de acompanhamento na caça e exploração de colmeias e em todo o processo de produção do mel. Adicionalmente, foi realizada uma recolha de uma amostra de mel para avaliação dos seus parâmetros de qualidade, com o apoio dos laboratórios da Escola Agrária de Bragança. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que atualmente a atividade apícola no país é insignificante e exercida pontualmente por apenas três apicultores. Em contrapartida, é bem mais evidente a exploração de enxames selvagens na floresta pelos “caçadores de mel”, praticada de forma rudimentar sem recurso a equipamentos adequados, tanto na exploração das abelhas como no manuseamento dos produtos, colocando em causa a vida do apicultor e a segurança alimentar. Esta atividade vem demonstrando uma atratividade crescente devido aos rendimentos obtidos na exploração do mel e também da cera, no entanto, a forma como é realizada provoca elevados danos nos ecossistemas através da destruição dos enxames e mesmo pela queima das árvores para a recolha dos favos. A qualidade do mel obtido, considerando as condições de extração aplicadas, apresenta globalmente um espetro positivo, verificando-se, no entanto, a necessidade de reduzir os níveis de humidade, hidroximetilfurfural e matéria insolúvel, o que facilmente será atingido pela aplicação de equipamentos e metodologias adequadas. Para reverter o quadro atual e potencializar a apicultura, sugere-se a criação de campanhas de sensibilização sobre a importância das abelhas para a biodiversidade e a manutenção dos ecossistemas naturais e agrícolas, sobre a importância da gestão de abelhas em detrimento da caça de enxames selvagens, além da realização de cursos sobre as técnicas de maneio das abelhas e produção de mel, os quais poderão ser organizados por instituições de ensino vocacionadas para a agricultura. Adicionalmente, será importante criar políticas de incentivo à produção e comercialização, promovendo a organização dos apicultores em cooperativas e investindo em equipamentos que garantam a obtenção de produtos de qualidade. | The natural richness of São Tomé e Príncipe, such as the diversity of flora , weather and water abundancy, associated with the presence of local bees, points beekeeping as a promising bet for the country rural development, since, associated with the preservation of ecosystem, beekeeping is an excellent business opportunity for local communities. Beekeeping, based on the sustainable management of Apis mellifera bees, besides the production of honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, and other hive products, is an agribusiness activity that requires a small initial investment, enhancing employment and income, which allows the maintenance of the families in their ambiance and can still raise environmental awareness, converting beekeepers in nature defenders. In this way, the present work aims to identify, describe and analyse all the activities in São Tomé e Príncipe linked with the exploitation of bees and their products, in order to propose a strategic plan for beekeeping development in the country. The work was supported in interviews to beekeepers and honey hunters, and through monitoring the practices of hunting and exploitation of hives, all across the process of honey production. In addition, one honey sample was collected for assessment of their quality parameters, with the aim of the laboratory facilities of the Agricultural School of Bragança. The results shown that, on the present moment, the beekeeping activity in the country is insignificant and sporadically performed by three beekeepers. On the other hand, the exploitation of wild swarms in the forest by the "honey hunters" is much more evident, practiced in a rudimentary way without the use of appropriate equipment, both for bee management and in the handling of products, threatening the life of the beekeeper and compromising food security. This activity has shown a growing attractiveness due to the profits made from selling honey and wax, however, the way it is performed causes significant damage to the ecosystems by destroying swarms and even burning of trees to reach the honey combs. Considering the extraction conditions applied, the quality of the honey produced by the “honey hunters” proved to be fairly positive, however, it requires an improvement in the moisture and hydroxymethylfurfural levels, as well as in the insoluble matter, which is easily achieved by the use of appropriate extraction equipment and methodologies. To reverse the current situation and enhance beekeeping in the country, it is necessary to design awareness campaigns on the importance of bees for biodiversity and maintenance of natural and farming ecosystems, on the importance of bee management in spite of hunting, besides the preparation of courses on bee management tools and honey production, which could be given by already established educational institutions devoted to agriculture teaching. Additionally, it will be important to implement new policies to promote production and marketing of honey, as well as to organize beekeepers and/or honey hunters in cooperatives, providing investments in beekeeping materials and equipment’s that ensure to obtain high quality products.