Production of bioactive and functional frozen yogurt through easy-to-make microspheres incorporation.

In the food industry, the microencapsulation process is important to control the release of active encapsulated ingredients, mask unwanted flavors, colors, and unpleasant smells, increase shelf life, and protect encapsulated components from light, moisture, and nutritional loss. In this process, microspheres are formed using cross-linked polymer, which can incorporate aqueous or oily ingredients, using simple physicochemical methods of phase separation by coacervation, without the need for organic solvents. In this context, this study aimed to develop bioactive, functional frozen yogurt through the incorporation of microspheres loaded with ascorbic acid or omega 3. The process used resulted in small microspheres (15-80 µm), imperceptible to the palate, and capable of swelling about 14 times, being suitable for incorporating omega 3, without altering the swelling, and extending the shelf life of the ascorbic acid for 6 weeks, even in an acid medium. Also, the matrix does not affect the properties of frozen yogurt and acts as a stabilizer, contributing to reduce the melting rate. The sensory analysis proved that encapsulation was promising to mask the taste and odor of omega 3 and to protect the ascorbic acid, without altering the properties and quality of the frozen product.

Expression of MRJP3 and HSP70 mRNA Levels in Apis mellifera L. Workers after Dietary Supplementation with Proteins, Prebiotics, and Probiotics.

Royal jelly is an essential substance for the development of bees from larval to adult stages. Studies have identified a group of key proteins in royal jelly, denominated major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). The group currently consists of nine proteins (MRJP1-MRJP9), with MRJP1 being the most abundant and MRJP3 being used as a microsatellite marker for the selection of queens with a greater production of royal jelly. The diet of bees is mostly composed of proteins, and supplementing this intake to encourage a higher production of their primary product is important for producers. It is estimated that, by adding probiotic and prebiotic organisms to their diets, the benefits to bees will be even greater, both for their immune systems and primary responses to stress. Circumstances that are adverse compared to those of the natural habitat of bees eventually substantially interfere with bee behavior. Stress situations are modulated by proteins termed heat shock proteins (HSPs). Among these, HSP70 has been shown to exhibit abundance changes whenever bees experience unusual situations of stress. Thus, we sought to supplement A. mellifera bee colony diets with proteins and prebiotic and probiotic components, and to evaluate the expression levels of MRJP3 and HSP70 mRNAs using qRT-PCR. The results revealed that differences in the expression of MRJP3 can be attributed to the different types of feed offered. Significant differences were evident when comparing the expression levels of MRJP3 and HSP70, suggesting that protein supplementation with pre/probiotics promotes positive results in royal jelly synthesis carried out by honey bee nurses.

Melliferous flora and pollen characterization of honey samples of Apis mellifera L., 1758 in apiaries in the counties of Ubiratã and Nova Aurora, PR.

The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of the flora with potential for beekeeping in the counties of Ubiratã and Nova Aurora-PR through the collection of plants and pollen analyses in honey samples collected monthly. 208 species of plants were recorded, distributed in 66 families. The families that showed the major richness of pollen types were: Asteraceae, Myrtaceae and Solanaceae. Approximately 80 pollen types were found in honey samples, most of them were characterized as heterofloral. Cultivated plants, such as Glycine max (soybean) and Eucalyptus spp., were representative in some months of the year. Exotic species, such as Ricinus communis and Melia azedarach, were also frequent. However, over than 50% of the pollen types belong to native species of the region, such as Schinus terebinthifolius, Baccharis spp. Alchornea triplinervia, Parapiptadenia rigida, Hexaclamys edulis, Zanthoxylum sp. and Serjania spp., indicating the importance of the native vegetation for the survival of the colonies.

Physicochemical characteristics and pollen spectra of organic and non-organic honey samples of Apis mellifera L.

The aim of this research was to analyze and compare 17 honey samples, 11 organic and six non-organic Apis mellifera honey. The samples were analyzed concerning moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase index, water activity, color, total sugar, reducing sugar, sucrose, ash, viscosity, electrical conductivity, pH, acidity, and formol index. With the exception of acidity, reducing sugar and diastase index, the averages of other parameters were different between the two groups. All samples of organic honey presented moisture values between 23.50 and 24.40 percent. Among the nonorganic honey samples, two presented apparent sucrose amount upper the maximum limit established by the Brazilian Legislation. According to the quantitative analysis of pollen sediments in the honey samples and frequency of pollen types in 17 honey samples, 41.20 percent were classified as unifioral, and the remainder as polifioral.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar e comparar 17 amostras de Apis mellifera mel, sendo 11 orgânicos e seis não orgânicos. As amostras foram analisadas quanto à umidade, hidroximetilfurfural, índice de diastase, atividade de água, cor, açúcares totais, açúcares redutores, sacarose, cinzas, viscosidade, condutividade elétrica, pH, acidez e índice de formol. Com exceção da acidez, açúcar redutor e índice de diastase as médias dos demais parâmetros analisados diferiram entre os dois grupos. Todas as amostras de mel orgânico analisadas apresentaram valores de umidade entre 23,50 to 24,40 por cento. Das amostras de mel não orgânico analisadas, duas apresentaram quantidades de sacarose aparente acima do limite máximo estabelecido pela legislação brasileira. De acordo com as análises quantitativas dos sedimentos polínicos e a frequência dos tipos polínicos observados nas 17 amostras de mel analisadas, 41,20 por cento foram classificadas como monofloral e o restante como polifloral.

Physicochemical characteristics and pollen spectra of organic and non-organic honey samples of Apis mellifera L.

The aim of this research was to analyze and compare 17 honey samples, 11 organic and six non-organic Apis mellifera honey. The samples were analyzed concerning moisture, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase index, water activity, color, total sugar, reducing sugar, sucrose, ash, viscosity, electrical conductivity, pH, acidity, and formol index. With the exception of acidity, reducing sugar and diastase index, the averages of other parameters were different between the two groups. All samples of organic honey presented moisture values between 23.50 and 24.40%. Among the nonorganic honey samples, two presented apparent sucrose amount upper the maximum limit established by the Brazilian Legislation. According to the quantitative analysis of pollen sediments in the honey samples and frequency of pollen types in 17 honey samples, 41.20% were classified as unifioral, and the remainder as polifioral.

Avaliação da presença de coliformes, bolores e leveduras em amostras de mel orgânico de abelhas africanizadas das ilhas do alto rio Paraná / Presence of coliforms, molds and yeasts in organic honey samples of Africanized honeybees from Paraná River islands

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido para caracterizar a microbiota do mel produzido nas ilhas Floresta e Laranjeira do alto rio Paraná, na região de Porto Brasílio, Paraná (PR). O mel foi coletado diretamente das melgueiras das colônias avaliadas, em três apiários distribuídos nas ilhas Floresta e Laranjeira. O período de coleta das amostras de mel foi de novembro de 2005 a fevereiro de 2006, perfazendo o total de 24 amostras de mel orgânico produzido por abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas. Seguindo o método das normas internacionais da Compendium of Methods for the Microbiology Examination of Foods, os parâmetros analisados foram: presença de coliformes a 35°C e 45°C e quantificação de bolores e leveduras. Verificou-se que todas as amostras apresentaram-se em conformidade com o Regulamento Técnico MERCOSUL de Identidade e Qualidade do Mel (MERCOSUL/GMC/RES no 15/94). As amostras analisadas indicaram excelente qualidade microbiológica para o mel orgânico.

This research was carried out to characterize the microbial flora of the organic honey produced in Paraná River islands. The honey was directly collected in the evaluated colonies, in three apiaries distributed at Floresta and Laranjeira Islands. The collection period was from November 2005 to February 2006. It was evaluated 24 organic honey samples produced by Africanized honeybees. Following the international standard Compendium method for the Microbiology Examination of Foods, the analyzed parameters used were: presence of coliforms at 35°C and 45°C, and molds and yeasts quantification. All samples were in conformity with the MERCOSUL Technical Regulation Identity and Quality for Honey (MERCOSUL/GMC/RES no. 15/94. The analyzed samples indicated excellent microbiologic honey quality.