Assessment of adulteration and mycoflora identification of honey samples marketed in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Abstract

Honey for human consumption must be processed under satisfactory conditions of Good Manufacturing Practices and not contain extraneous matters or microbiological contamination. However, several studies have shown that a high percentage of honey samples from different regions of Brazil are not adequate in terms of food safety. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate the microbiological, microscopic, and physicochemical quality of uninspected honey samples marketed in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Thirty honey samples (n= 30) were collected, and total coliforms, total fungi, extraneous matter and filth, moisture content, Aw, pH, total titratable acidity, Lugol test, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) were analyzed. Filamentous fungi were also isolated and identified at the gender level. Rodent hair and ants were found in the samples, indicating health risk for consumers. The data obtained demonstrated that 56.7% of the samples were adulterated. All positive samples in the Lugol test also presented starch granules in the microscopic evaluation, suggesting adulteration by the addition of sugar cane or corn starch syrup. No sample showed the presence of coliforms, and the total fungal count can be considered low. Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp., and Aspergillus spp. were the principal genera of filamentous fungi isolated. High 5-HMF values were found, mainly in the adulterated samples. The data obtained will be reported to the competent authorities, since such products of unknown composition are being commercialized, offering risks to consumers' health.

Aspergillus verrucosus sp. nov., a xerophilic species isolated from house dust and honey in Japan

“…We previously studied the species diversity of filamentous fungi surviving in honey in Japan using DG18 as the isolation medium, and confirmed the of some species belonging to the series Penicillioides and A. vitricola, in addition to A. verrucosus (Itagaki et al unpublished data). Moreover, previous studies assessing the diversity of filamentous fungi surviving in honey did not use media that selectively isolate xerotolerant or xerophilic fungi [37,41], except the one by Andrade et al [39]. Aspergillus verrucosus could be isolated from honey collected in countries other than Japan if future diversity studies are conducted using DG18 or CZA70S.…”

“…unpublished data). Moreover, previous studies assessing the diversity of filamentous fungi surviving in honey did not use media that selectively isolate xerotolerant or xerophilic fungi [37, 41], except the one by Andrade et al . [39].…”

“…Conversely, isolation of section Restricti from honey has not been reported. Although several studies have been conducted on the diversity of filamentous fungi surviving in honey [36][37][38][39][40][41], only four Aspergillus species (A. pseudoglaucus and A. montevidensis belonging to section Aspergillus, A. asperescens belonging to section Nidulantes, and A. niger belonging to section Nigri) have been detected so far [37,39]. The water activity of honey is less than 0.6 [42,43], and only xerotolerant or xerophilic fungi can survive under such conditions.…”

“…and floccose with filiform margin, cleistothecia eurotium-like, pale luteous(11), soluble pigment absent, exudate absent, mycelium pale luteous(11) to salmon(41) with rose buff (45) margins, and reverse rust(39) with buff (45) margins.Colonies on M40Y at 25 °C in 30 days: flat and floccose with filiform margin, cleistothecia eurotium-like, pale to luteous(11), soluble pigment absent, exudate absent, mycelium pale luteous(11) to salmon(41) with rose buff (61) margins, and reverse rust(39) with buff (45) margins. Colonies on CY20S at 25 °C in 30 days: flat and floccose with filiform margin, cleistothecia eurotium-like, amber (47), soluble pigment absent, exudate absent, mycelium pale luteous(11) to buff (45) with buff (45) margins, and reverse pure yellow(14) with buff (45) margins.…”

Análise Da Produtividade De Carotenoides Em Variedades Locais De Milho

“…Análises físico-químicas de méis brasileiros inspecionados têm sido a temática de pesquisas para monitorar a sua qualidade. Nesse sentido, muitos trabalhos têm sido desenvolvidos (De ASSIS CARVALHO et al, 2020;RIBEIRO & STARIKOFF, 2019) No ano de 2020, o Portanto, esse trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o teor de umidade, pH e acidez total em 20 amostras de mel de produtores da região da cidade de Tefé.…”