Melipona scutellaris (Apidae, Meliponini) is one of the main species of stingless bees used in beekeeping in the Northeast of Brazil. We examined the honey from M. scutellaris as an indicator to evaluate the levels of metals at sampling sites subject to a broad spectrum of environmental pollutants. The collections were carried out in the urban-industrial area of Salvador, Bahia and the metropolitan region. Samples (n= 58) were submitted to the nitroperchloric digestion procedure. We used the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry technique (ICP OES) to determine the concentration of metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the samples. The studied metals were detected among the samples, which presented tolerable levels according to current Brazilian legislation and recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), except for Cr, which presented mean values higher than the threshold for all sampling sites. The detection of the analyzed metals indicates that the honey of M. scutellaris is a useful tool to evaluate the presence of environmental contaminants; therefore, it can be considered a good indicator of environmental contamination for monitoring a particular region and preventing issues due to the release of metals into the environment.
Beekeeping is an economic activity of the Brazilian agricultural sector and a powerful tool to achieve sustainable development. However, beekeeping still remains a modest activity compared to other areas, with a lack of technical knowledge and beekeeping practices that need to be standardized. This study represents a proposal for the diagnosis of beekeeping, to facilitate decision-making and to provide a faster development of the beekeeping activity. We investigated the process of adoption of beekeeping practices of 28 beekeepers and the quality of the honey produced by them in the Western region of Paraná, using the technique of Principal Components Analysis after the construction of apicultural indexes. Specifically, the honey produced in the Western region of Paraná be included in the requirements of national and international legislation, but the beekeeping practices adopted still require standardization so that the beekeepers have higher honey production. Also, the transformation of variables into apicultural indexes for later use in the analysis of principal components proved to be efficient to draw a beekeeping profile. Our research proves to be efficient in accurately diagnosing beekeeping bottlenecks, which may enable better decision-making and thus attract new entrepreneurs and increase their relevance to achieve sustainable rural development.
Two specimens of Temnomastax hamus Rehn & Rehn, 1942 were collected at the Advanced Base of Studies at the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso in Poconé, Mato Grosso, Pantanal. These new records extend the known distribution of the species to include the Brazilian Pantanal.
Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 is of economic importance for local beekeepers, besides its relevance in the pollination of native plant species of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Currently, data on the use of floral resources by Meliponini colonies are scarce, particularly in urban environments. We evaluated the botanical origin, the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of pollen stored by M. scutellaris in colonies in an urban environment. The samples (n ¼ 44) were obtained from the metropolitan region of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, a region of intense urban and industrial activities. We identified 52 pollen types belonging to 21 botanical families. The botanical families Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Anacardiaceae represented most pollen types. Aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria, Bacillus spp., molds and yeasts, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, and Salmonella spp. were not found in the samples. We identified and quantified fatty acids with carbon numbers varying from C4 to C20. For the physicochemical parameters, the following variations were verified: moisture (47.3% to 55.70%), ash (3.45% to 5.90%), protein (10.19 to 24.02%), pH (3.28 to 3.99), acidity (237.20 to 557.10 meq/kg), lipids (2.43 to 7.94%), carbohydrates (10.85 to 28.89%) and total energy value (170.60 to 216.99 kcal/100g). Pollen stored ("sambur a") by bees is a complete food and a source of nutrients with therapeutic potential. Pollen stored by M. scutellaris consists of a heterofloral pollen with physicochemical and microbiological qualities, considered safe for human consumption. Moreover, it contains linoleic and linolenic essential fatty acids making it a potential nutraceutical product.
Resumo: O presente artigo tem como objetivo central abordar a discussão acerca da invisibilidade da mulher negra na política brasileira, especificamente no estado da Bahia, situado na região do País com o maior número de pessoas que se declaram autonegras, 81,4%, de acordo com pesquisa do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), divulgada no ano de 2017. Ainda assim as mulheres negras, sobretudo quando lésbicas, possuem pouca expressão política em âmbito estadual. Os cargos de poder e expressão não ocupados por esses corpos, que são marginalizados, violentados, atacados, subjugados para se tornarem invisibilizados. Assim, a invisibilidade não é a inexistência ou a dificuldade de ver, mas a falta de visibilidade e expressão política.
The present study aimed to develop a cryotherapy gel based on ginger, menthol and caffeine, as well as to analyze the parameters of physical-chemical and microbiological quality control of the phytocosmetic formulation. The raw materials were purchased in local stores in the municipality of Teresina, Piauí. The ginger extract was obtained by macerating the rhizomes and rotating with acetone solvent. For the cosmetic formulation, carbopol gel was first prepared, followed by alkalinization, solubilization in caffeine and menthol and addition of ginger extract and dye, following the Good Practices of Handling the Resolution of the Collegiate Board (RDC) No. 67 / 2007. Subsequently, the physical-chemical quality control tests inherent to the preliminary stability were applied, encompassing organoleptic characteristics, pH, electrical conductivity, spreadability, resistance to centrifugation, optical microscopy, in addition to microbiological evaluation, identifying the presence of mesophilic bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts. The results of the organoleptic characteristics indicated a gel with a bright red color, homogeneous appearance and a characteristic menthol odor. The pH ranged from 5.46 to 5.59 and the electrical conductivity from 1900 to 2250 µs / cm, both being considered adequate. Regarding the spreadability, it was found that there was an increase in the proportion that the weight (g) was added, showing a good ability to spread and cover the site of action, both before and after preliminary stability. In the centrifugation resistance test, the gel formulation remained stable, both before and after 12 days. Regarding the microscopic analysis of the droplets, it was observed that most of them (65%) had a diameter in the range of 0.6 µm to 1 µm, showing small blood cells heterogeneously distributed and with some coalescence points. As for the microbiological analyzes of the cryotherapy gel, it was observed that the values for counting microrganisms were within the limits recommended by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, both for aerobic mesophiles (1UFC / g) and for filamentous fungi and yeasts (0 CFU/g). Thus, it was possible to develop a phytocosmetic suitable for use, with pleasant organoleptic characteristics and physical-chemical and microbiological standards within the required prerequisites. However, it is necessary to carry out new tests of product stability during the entire storage, in order to confirm the preliminary results, in addition to tests that ratify its biological activity, as well as in vitro and in vivo toxicological tests that effectively guarantee product safety.
The present textual production proposes to address the oppressions that black, female and non-heterosexual bodies go through in a society whose power and knowledge figure is in the heterosexual white man.With an educational approach, the essay turns its attention to the exclusionary aspects of formal instruction in force in educational institutions, from basic to higher education and to address the importance of implementing anti-pressure discussions in these environments, pointing out its benefits for those who access the education networks, the student community as a multiplier and modifier of social reality. Education would be a tool to combat violence.
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