This study aims at evaluating the quality of honey of Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata Tetragonisca angustula and Scaptotrigona depilis. Pollen analysis was performed to identify the floral resources used for the production of honey, and 19 pollen types were identified. Microbiological analyses identified the presence of coliforms, molds, and yeasts, but Clostridium botulinum was not found. Using the modified “Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe” method followed by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry determination, eight pesticides were detected in the honey of T. angustula and only two in the honey from S. depilis. The honey of M. q. quadrifasciata did not present pesticide residues. The data pointed out the relevance of good practices to avoid the contamination of honey with sources of microbiological contaminants, which may impair the product's safety for human consumption.

Meliponinae eusocial bees are among the most important pollinators in the Neotropics and their beekeeping has been growing as both recreational and economic activity. Information on the pollen preferences and niche overlap among species coexisting in the same location is still scarce. This study focused on the use of pollen resources by three native species of Meliponinae in the Atlantic Forest, Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata (Lepeletier 1836), Scaptotrigona depilis (Moure 1942), and Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille 1811), at two different sites. The use of pollen resources was evaluated from reserves inside hives collected monthly between February 2015 and January 2016. It was also estimated the Mean Minimal Distance (Dm) traveled by the bees to obtain pollen. The bees differed regarding the diversity of pollen types, Dm, and proportion of pollen from different plant life-form. Local factor promoted differences only for Dm. M. q. quadrifasciata foraged a low diversity of pollen species and traveled greater distances with a higher proportion of trees plus palm species. Tetragonisca angustula foraged a higher diversity of pollen and flew shorter distances with a lower proportion of trees and palms. The species factor predominates over the local factor in the clustering pattern, based on pollen profile similarity.

A preocupação com a geração de resíduos provenientes da produção de alimentos tem se intensificado. Isto porque estes resíduos possuem altas concentrações de matéria orgânica, que causam danos se não forem tratados adequadamente. Uma forma de tratar de maneira eficaz estes resíduos é por meio da compostagem. O objetivo deste trabalho foi contribuir para a melhoria dos processos de compostagem de resíduos agroindustriais gerados em pequenas propriedades rurais. Para isso, realizou-se uma avaliação microbiológica em processos de compostagem em pequena escala em amostras de três sistemas distintos localizados na região sul do Brasil, para verificar a presença de microrganismos potencialmente patogênicos como E. coli, Salmonella spp., fungos filamentosos e leveduriformes. Foi verificado que nos sistemas com controles de aeração a presença de patogênicos foi menor apenas para E.coli, porém houve permanência de Salmonella spp. e fungos nos três sistemas avaliados apontando para a necessidade de melhoria nos sistemas de compostagem utilizados pelas pequenas propriedades rurais. A presença de Salmonella nos compostos dos três sistemas evidencia o risco à saúde pública e a necessidade de padronização e melhoria do processo de compostagem hoje utilizados.