Assessment of the Quality, Chemometric and Pollen Diversity of Apis mellifera Honey from Different Seasonal Harvests.

The parameters for assessing the quality of honey produced by Apis mellifera are standardized worldwide. The physicochemical properties of honey might vary extensively due to factors such as the geographical area where it was produced and the season in which it was harvested. Little information is available on variations in honey quality among different harvest periods in tropical areas, and particularly in neotropical dry forests. This study describes variations in seventeen physicochemical parameters and the pollen diversity of honey harvested from beehives during the dry season in February, March, and April 2021, in the dry arc of Panama. Potassium is the most abundant mineral in honey samples, and its concentration increases during the harvest period from February to April. A PCA analysis showed significant differences among the samples collected during different harvest periods. The pollen diversity also differs among honey samples from February compared with March and April. The results indicate that climatic conditions may play an important role in the quality of honey produced in the dry arc of Panama. Furthermore, these results might be useful for establishing quality-control parameters of bee honey produced in Panama in support of beekeeping activities in seasonal wet-dry areas of the tropics.

Latin foo ds activities and challenges during the period of 2009-2012 / Actividades y desafíos de LATINFOODS durante el período 2009-2012

The Latin American Network of Food Composition Data System (LATINFOODS) is the regional data center of the global network “International Network on Food Data Systems” (INFOODS) co-sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations University (UNU). The aim of this work is to provide information on the main activities held and challenges during the period 2009- 2012. The activities included: network organization, technological development, research, web site modification, database location, publication of new food composition tables, organization and participation in scientific activities, assistance and training. During this period, new strategic alliances where food composition is key were developed. This promoted more activities and strengthen working links in the region. The main challenges were: 1) to improve and update the regional database 2) to improve the national capacities for generating and compiling data to elaborate and update the national food composition tables 3) to establish and implement the database software in branches; 4) to reach technical and financial sustainability. Despite the fact that the network has a dynamic structure consolidated, trained and experienced members, a database of regional food composition, specialized tools and documents; more support for sustainability and progress is required.

La Red Latinoamericana de Composición de Alimentos (LATINFOODS) es el centro regional de datos de la red mundial “Red Internacional de Sistemas de Datos de Alimentos” (INFOODS), copatrocinada por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO) y la Universidad de las Naciones Unidas (UNU). Este trabajo tiene por objeto proporcionar información sobre las principales actividades realizadas y los desafíos durante el período 2009-2012. Las actividades incluyeron: la organización de la red, el desarrollo tecnológico, la investigación, la modificación del sitio web, la ubicación de la base de datos, publicación de nuevas tablas de composición, la organización y la participación en actividades científicas, asistencia y capacitación. Se llevaron a cabo nuevas alianzas estratégicas donde la composición de alimentos es clave, que promovieron más actividades y fortalecieron los vínculos de trabajo en la región. Los principales desafíos fueron: 1) mejorar y actualizar la base de datos regional; 2) mejorar las capacidades nacionales para generar y recopilar datos para las tablas nacionales de composición de alimentos; 3) establecer y poner en práctica el software de base de datos en los capítulos; 4) llegar a contar con sostenibilidad técnica y económica. A pesar del hecho de que la red dispone de una estructura dinámica consolidada, miembros capacitados y experimentados, una base de datos regional de composición de alimentos, herramientas y documentos especializados; hace falta más apoyo para que sea sostenible y continúe progresando.

LATINFOODS activities and challenges during the period of 2009-2012.

The Latin American Network of Food Composition Data System (LATINFOODS) is the regional data center of the global network "International Network on Food Data Systems" (INFOODS) co-sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations University (UNU). The aim of this work is to provide information on the main activities held and challenges during the period 2009- 2012. The activities included: network organization, technological development, research, web site modification, database location, publication of new food composition tables, organization and participation in scientific activities, assistance and training. During this period, new strategic alliances where food composition is key were developed. This promoted more activities and strengthen working links in the region. The main challenges were: 1) to improve and update the regional database 2) to improve the national capacities for generating and compiling data to elaborate and update the national food composition tables 3) to establish and implement the database software in branches; 4) to reach technical and financial sustainability. Despite the fact that the network has a dynamic structure consolidated, trained and experienced members, a database of regional food composition, specialized tools and documents; more support for sustainability and progress is required.

International collaborative project to compare and monitor the nutritional composition of processed foods.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of premature death and disability in the world with overnutrition a primary cause of diet-related ill health. Excess energy intake, saturated fat, sugar, and salt derived from processed foods are a major cause of disease burden. Our objective is to compare the nutritional composition of processed foods between countries, between food companies, and over time. DESIGN: Surveys of processed foods will be done in each participating country using a standardized methodology. Information on the nutrient composition for each product will be sought either through direct chemical analysis, from the product label, or from the manufacturer. Foods will be categorized into 14 groups and 45 categories for the primary analyses which will compare mean levels of nutrients at baseline and over time. Initial commitments to collaboration have been obtained from 21 countries. CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative approach to the collation and sharing of data will enable objective and transparent tracking of processed food composition around the world. The information collected will support government and food industry efforts to improve the nutrient composition of processed foods around the world.