Characterization of yateí (Tetragonisca fiebrigi) honey and preservation treatments: Dehumidification, pasteurization and refrigeration

A complete study on the microbiological and physico-chemical properties of yateí honey (Tetragonisca fiebrigi) was carried out, focusing on the quality standards that are necessary for its commercialization. The results showed that physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of T. fiebrigi honey differed from standard values of Apis mellifera, but not from other stingless bees honey from South America. Yateí honey showed the presence of fecal contamination (Escherichia coli), and a seasonal influence in microbiological parameters, acidity, pH, sucrose and diastase activity. On the other hand, three preservation treatments were carried out and evaluated for 90 days in T. fiebrigi honey: refrigeration, pasteurization and dehumidification. Pasteurization and dehumidification of yateí honey eliminated fecal contamination while in refrigerated honey E. coli survived in time (8–90 days), unlike the samples kept at room temperature (<3 days). Physico-chemical parameters of yateí honey changed in time after the treatments, specifically, HMF was present after 90 days in honey treated with heat or dehumidified, making it a key parameter of yateí honey quality.

Fil: Schvezov, Natasha. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina

Fil: Pucciarelli Roman, Amada Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina

Fil: Valdes, Belen. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina

Fil: Dallagnol, Andrea Micaela. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Instituto de Materiales de Misiones; Argentina