Mead is an alcoholic beverage, resulting from the fermentation of honey and water, although it is an old drink, some fermentation products are still unknown. Biogenic amines have driven research on food and beverages due to their toxicity and capacity to cause damage to the human health. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of biogenic amines in mead from honey of two species of social bees, using different fining agents (bentonite, banana peel flour, and passion fruit peel flour) and storage in oak barrel for 120 days. We observed the presence of three biogenic amines for each type of mead. Putrescine was reported only in samples of mead of Apis mellifera. Tryptamine and histamine were not detected, while tyramine was observed in the mead samples of honey from Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides. Samples clarified with fruit peels increased the number of amines. In the analysis of the histamine, used as standard, obtained limits of detection and quantification of 2.47 mg/L and of 7.48 mg/L, respectively. In this study, the amines observed remained below the limit of detection, and did not pose a risk to consumers. The finings used demonstrated a profile similar to the control mead, and its use was satisfactory.

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.

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