Saprophytic fungus collection by africanized bees in Brazil

Pollen is used in the human diet as a food supplement because of its high nutritional value; however, this product is prone to fungal contamination that could potentially generate toxins that are harmful to human health. This study aimed to verify the floral diversity of commercial brands of bee pollen and their mycotoxicological safety for human consumption. A total of 27 bee pollen samples were analyzed; these samples represented commercial brands, either showing an inspection seal or not, marketed in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The analyzed parameters included floral diversity through palynological analysis, water activity, fungal counts, identification and toxigenic profiles. The palynological analysis identified nine plant families, of which the Asteraceae was predominant. Analysis of hygienic quality based on fungal load showed that 92% of samples were reproved according to the commercial, sanitary, and food safety quality indicators. Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium were the most common genera. Toxigenic evaluation showed that 25% of the A. flavus strains produced aflatoxins. The high rate of contamination of products bearing an inspection seal emphasizes the need to monitor the entire procedure of bee pollen production, as well as to revise the current legislation to ensure safe commercialization of this product.

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“…Cladosporium is the second most common genus isolated from commercial pollen products. Modro etal. (2009) reported the Cladosporium sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mycotoxicological and palynological profiles of commercial brands of dried bee pollen

Deveza¹,

Keller²,

Lorenzon³

et al. 2015

Braz. J. Microbiol.

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“…Cladosporium sp. spores were also collected by bees in the state of Minas Gerais during an alimentary scarcity (Modro et al 2009b). …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the botanical origin of commercial dry bee pollen load batches using pollen analysis: a proposal for technical standardization

Barth

Freitas

Oliveira

et al. 2010

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

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High quality of bee pollen for commercial purpose is required. In order to attend the consumer with the best identification of the botanical and floral origin of the product, 25 bee pollen batches were investigated using two techniques of pollen grain preparation. The first started to identify pollen loads of different colors in two grams of each well mixed batch, and the second to identify pollen grains in a pool made of all the pollen loads comprised in two grams. The best result was obtained by this last technique, when a pollen grain suspension was dropped on a microscope slide and circa 500 pollen grains were counted per sample. This analysis resulted in the recognition of monofloral and bifloral pollen batches, while the use of the first technique resulted in all samples receiving a heterofloral diagnosis.

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“…The Cladosporium was previously reported in stingless bee of the Melipona genus 69 . The most representative filamentous fungi in the stingless bees species are described as phytopathogens 70 , 71 . However, they are used as a biological control for various pathogens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacteria, yeasts, and fungi associated with larval food of Brazilian native stingless bees

Santos

Borges

Rocha

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Stingless bees are a diverse group with a relevant role in pollinating native species. Its diet is rich in carbohydrates and proteins, by collecting pollen and nectar supplies the development of its offspring. Fermentation of these products is associated with microorganisms in the colony. However, the composition of microorganisms that comprise this microbiome and its fundamental role in colony development is still unclear. To characterize the colonizing microorganisms of larval food in the brood cells of stingless bees Frieseomelitta varia, Melipona quadrifasciata, Melipona scutellaris, and Tetragonisca angustula, we have utilized molecular and culture-based techniques. Bacteria of the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and fungi of the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mucoromycota, and Mortierellomycota were found. Diversity analysis showed that F. varia had a greater diversity of bacteria in its microbiota, and T. angustula had a greater diversity of fungi. The isolation technique allowed the identification of 189 bacteria and 75 fungi. In summary, this research showed bacteria and fungi associated with the species F. varia, M. quadrifasciata, M. scutellaris, and T. angustula, which may play an essential role in the survival of these organisms. Besides that, a biobank with bacteria and fungus isolates from LF of Brazilian stingless bees was created, which can be used for different studies and the prospection of biotechnology compounds.

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Saprophytic fungus collection by africanized bees in Brazil

Cited by 8 publications

References 9 publications

Mycotoxicological and palynological profiles of commercial brands of dried bee pollen

Mycotoxicological and palynological profiles of commercial brands of dried bee pollen

Evaluation of the botanical origin of commercial dry bee pollen load batches using pollen analysis: a proposal for technical standardization

Bacteria, yeasts, and fungi associated with larval food of Brazilian native stingless bees

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