Abstract

BRAZIL'S NATIVE STINGLESS BEES: GUARDIANS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND A POWERFUL NUTRACEUTICAL

Flavia Maria Vasques Farinazzi-Machado*, Renata Bonini Pardo, Fernando Garcia, Ana Valeria Brazini, Giovanna Dolce Castilho, José Vitor da Silva, Luana Quirino Gonçalves and Tatiele Mayara da Silva Oliveira

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to gather information about the role of native stingless bees in protecting biodiversity and preserving the environment, in addition to elucidating the beneficial effects of bioactive compounds in honey in the prevention and treatment of chronic degenerative disorders. It was a qualitative and exploratory bibliographical review, using electronic databases with descriptors combined two by two. Records of 251 species of stingless bees were identified in Brazil, occupying mostly tropical (North and Northeast) and subtropical (South and Southeast) climate regions, they are distributed in 29 genera, with the tribes Frieseomelitta, Nannotrigona, Plebeia, Scaptotrigona, Tetragonisca and Melipona managed for honey production. Native bees are responsible for pollinating about 87% of the world's cultivated plants, resulting in up to 50% more production of seeds and fruits, which ensures genetic diversity and promotes environmental sensitivity. Studies have also identified that meliponine honeys have high levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, with antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities greater than those present in Apis mellifera honey, and in particular, honey from native Brazilian bees have compounds that are not found in other regions of the world.

Keywords: Bees, Brazilian biodiversity, Honey, Therapeutic food, Antioxidant.