Gestão agroindustrial: um estudo sobre o modelo SEBRAE-RN de produção de mel de abelha no Rio Grande do Norte

The present study makes an analysis of the Development Program of Beekeeping on Rio Grande do Norte, evaluating the model of management implanted for the SEBRAE/RN in the production of bee honey in Rio Grande do Norte; on the basis of the annual reports emitted by the company in 2003, 2004 and 2005 a discerning survey is done in order to identify to the positive points and the possible imperfections that need to be readjusted, or to be substituted for the success of the program; a bibliographical study of the main authors of the subject with the purpose to gound the study, necessary base for the good performance of this work; the study made with the reports identifies some readjustments that need to be corrected, that will be suggested in the end of this study. However the work developed for the SEBRAE/RN is of good quality and the identified negative points do not compromise the good performance of the program, but it can delay the success desired; Despite the studied reports being inconsistent in some points, it can be identified significant improvements with the result of the work developed for the SEBRAE/RN, among others the creation of financial alternatives for the agriculturists who deal with the beekeeping, the employment, income and development of the enterprising capacity of the producers. However, is verified that it would have to exist more efficient ways that made possible a bigger interaction among the managers of the program and the participant public so that the continuous and necessary improvements were made to any well guided project

Environmental Fate of Neonicotinoids and Classification of Their Potential Risks to Hypogean, Epygean, and Surface Water Ecosystems in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos do tratamento com Hidrogel na cicatrização de úlceras venosas de membros inferiores: revisão sistemática

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is evident among the chronic diseases and affects the elderly population and primarily is responsible for leg ulcers in this population. The use of dressings in the care of a venous ulcer is a fundamental part of the treatment for healing, however, evidence to assist in choosing the best dressing is scarce. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with hydrogel in the healing of venous ulcers using search methods, synthesis of information and statistical research through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials were selected in the following databases: CENTRAL; DARE; NHS EED; MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL. Beyond these databases three websites were consulted to identify ongoing studies: ClinicalTrials.gov, OMS ICTRP e ISRCTN. The primary outcomes were analyzed: complete wound healing, incidence of wound infection and the secondary were: changes in ulcer size, time to ulcer healing, recurrence of ulcer, quality of life of participants, pain and costs of treatment. Four studies are currently included in the review with a total of 250 participants. The use of hydrogel appears to be superior to conventional dressing, gauze soaked in saline, for the healing of venous leg ulcers; 16/30 patients showed complete healing of ulcers (RR 5,33, 95%CI [1,73,16,42]). The alginate gel was shown to be more effective when compared to the hydrogel dressing in reduction of the wound area; 61,2% (± 26,2%) with alginate e 19,4% (± 24,3%) with hydrogel at the end of four weeks of treatment. Manuka honey has shown to be similar to the hydrogel dressings in percentage of area reduction. This review demonstrated that there is no evidence available about the effectiveness of the hydrogel compared to other types of dressings on the healing of venous leg ulcers of the lower limbs, thus demonstrating the need of future studies to assist health professionals in choosing the correct dressing.

Método multirresíduo para monitoramento de contaminação ambiental de pesticidas na região de Bauru (SP) usando mel como bio-indicador

The presence of residues of the major groups of pesticides (organohalogen, organophosphorous, pyrethroids and organonitrogen) in representative samples of honey produced in Bauru (state of São Paulo, Brazil) was investigated from 1999 through2004. A multiresidue method was applied to honey samples to determine 48 pesticides with recoveries ranging from 76 to 95%. The limits of detection found were lower than 10 µg/kg for GC-MS-SIM. The results indicated that most pesticides found in the samples belonged to the organohalogen and organonitrogen groups. Residues of malathion were detected in almost all of the samples in high concentration.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE and HUMAN CONSEQUENCES of AFRICANIZED BEE STINGS IN THE AMERICAS

In 1956, Africanized bees began to spread in the American continent from southern Brazil, where original African bees mated with European bees. A few years later, in 1990, these Africanized bees reached the United States and were found in Texas. Currently, these hybrid bees are found in several North American states and will probably reach the Canadian border in the future. Although the presence of Africanized bees had produced positive effects on Brazilian economy, including improvement in crop pollination and in honey production, turning Brazil into a major exporter, the negative impacts-such as swarming, aggressive behavior, and the ability to mass attack-resulted in serious and fatal envenomation with humans and animals. Victims of bee attacks usually develop a severe envenomation syndrome characterized by the release of a large amount of cytokines [interleukins (IL) IL-1, IL-6, IL-8], and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Subsequently, such cytokines produce an acute inflammatory response that triggers adverse effects on skeletal muscles; bone marrow; hepatic and renal functions; and cardiovascular, central nervous, and immune systems. Finally, the aim of the present review is to study historical characteristics and current status of Africanized bees' spread, the composition of their venom, the impact of the bees on the Brazilian economy and ecology, and clinical aspects of their stings including immune response, and to suggest a protocol for bee sting management since there is no safe and effective antivenom available.

Mel e açúcar mascavo na cicatrização de feridas

O estudo teve como objetivo comparar a eficácia do mel e do açúcar mascavo na cicatrização de feridas induzidas cirurgicamente na pele de cobaias, para avaliar o tempo de cicatrização, as variações macroscópicas e microscópicas do tecido cicatricial, a contração das feridas e o grau de contaminação. Quinze cobaias da raça Abissínia, machos inteiros, de seis meses de idade e pesando entre 500 a 850 gramas, foram divididas em três grupos com cinco animais cada, nos quais foram induzidas, cirurgicamente, três feridas em cada animal com dimensão de 1,5cm² e distância entre elas de 1,5cm, na região dorsal. A ferida F1 foi tratada diariamente com mel, a ferida F2 com solução salina 0,9% (controle) e a ferida F3 com o açúcar mascavo. A eutanásia foi realizada no Grupo 1 ao sétimo dia após a cirurgia, no Grupo 2 ao décimo quarto dia e no Grupo 3 no vigésimo primeiro dia após a cirurgia, sendo as biópsias encaminhadas para avaliação histopatológica. Foram também realizados swabs das feridas em todos os grupos no terceiro e sétimo dias após a cirurgia e as amostras enviadas para a cultura e isolamento bacteriano. Concluiu-se que as feridas tratadas com o mel cicatrizaram mais rápido em relação às tratadas com o açúcar mascavo, demonstrando a maior propriedade cicatrizante do mel em relação ao açúcar mascavo.

Determination of the maximum inhibitory dilution of cetylpyridinium chloride-based mouthwashes against Staphylococcus aureus: an in vitro study

The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the maximum inhibitory dilution (MID) of four cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)based mouthwashes: CPC+Propolis, CPC+Malva, CPC+Eucaliptol+Jua+Roma+Propolis (Natural Honey (R)) and CPC (Cepacol (R)), against 28 Staphylococcus aureus field strains, using the agar dilution method. Decimal dilutions ranging from 1/10 to 1/655,360 were prepared and added to Mueller Hinton Agar. Strains were inoculated using Steers multipoint inoculator. The inocula were seeded onto the surface of the culture medium in Petri dishes containing different dilutions of the mouthwashes. The dishes were incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. For readings, the MID was considered as the maximum dilution of mouthwash still capable of inhibiting microbial growth. The obtained data showed that CPC+Propolis had antimicrobial activity against 27 strains at 1/320 dilution and against all 28 strains at 1/160 dilution, CPC+Malva inhibited the growth of all 28 strains at 1/320 dilution, CPC+Eucaliptol+Jua+Roma+Propolis inhibited the growth of 2 strains at 1/640 dilution and all 28 strains at 1/320 dilution, and Cepacol (R) showed antimicrobial activity against 3 strains at 1/320 dilution and against all 28 strains at 1/160 dilution. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis test, showing that the MID of Cepacol (R) was lower than that determined for the other products (p<0.05). In conclusion, CPC-mouthwashes showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and the addition of other substances to CPC improved its antimicrobial effect.

Qualidade dos méis produzidos por Melipona fasciculata Smith da região do cerrado maranhense

The honey of Melipona fasciculata is few known in terms of composition, and therefore generally associated with the characteristics of the honey of Apis mellifera. This study contributes to the knowledge of the physico-chemical characteristics of honey of M. fasciculata of the municipalities of Barra do Corda, Jenipapo dos Vieiras, Fernando Falcão, Carolina and Riachão, in cerrado region from Maranhão. The parameters studied were: moisture, pH, acidity, reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, insoluble solids, ash and color. Some of the observed patterns may conform to the established for A. mellifera, but others must be accompanied by a specific legislation.

Toxic effects of methanolic and dichloromethane extracts of flowers and peduncles of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Leguminosae : Mimosoideae) on Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica workers

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate toxicity of methanolic and dichloromethane extracts obtained from Stryphnodendron adstringens to Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica workers. The extracts were incorporated into the diet of the bees for evaluation of mortality rates. The ingestion bioassays were made with three concentrations (0.002mg/g, 0.005mg/g and 0.01 mg/g) for each bee species. The workers were kept in cages, with twenty workers per cage for each concentration tested. All bioassays had sixty workers in three cages that where maintained in a biological oxygen demand incubator with controlled temperature and humidity. The data obtained in the toxicity bioassays were analyzed statistically by Log Rank test and all methanolic and clichloromethane extracts showed significant (P < 0.0001) toxic effects in all tested concentrations.

Toxicity of barbatimao to Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica, under laboratory conditions

Two species of plants commonly known as barbatim (a) over tildeo occur in Brazil, Stryphnodendron adstringens (Fabaceae) (true barbatim (a) over tildeo) and Dimorphandra mollis (Caesalpiniaceae) (false barbatim (a) over tildeo). These two species have a similar flowering period and are considered by beekeepers to cause bee mortality during this period. Flowers were collected from both species, dehydrated, ground and incorporated into an experimental diet for bees of two different species, Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica. Both plant species were toxic to A. mellifera, reducing their median survival. D. mollis was toxic to S. postica, and Stryphnodendron adstringens reduced median survival of this bee species even when used at a concentration of 2.5%. In a choice experiment carried out with A. mellifera and the two plant species, the honey bees could choose not to feed on the diets containing the flowers, and feed on sugar and honey instead, but they did not. This shows us that the flowers of S. adstringens were not repellent to the bees. The plants were more toxic to A. mellifera than to Scaptotrigona postica, a result that can be explained by the fact that A. mellifera was introduced into Brazil whereas S. postica is a native stingless bee.

Enzymatic activity of hypopharyngeal gland extractsfrom workers of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae)

This research presents a comparative study of enzymatic activity of the hypopharyngeal gland extracts from workers of Apis mellifera in three physiologic stages: newly emerged, nurse and forager workers, with the objective of contributing to the comprehension of the gland function. In order to determinate the enzymes present in the extracts, the Api Zym kit (Bio Merieux) was used to test the activity of 19 different enzymes. The enzymes found in larger amounts only in the hypopharyngeal glands from certain individuals were the following: in newly emerged workers, the N-acetyl-double down arrow-glucosaminidase that may be digesting the chitin of some food ingested by the bee; in forager workers, the acid phosphatase that is likely acting in authophagic processes, the a-glucosidase, in the processing of nectar into honey, and the double down arrow-glucosidases, in the pollen digestion.

Ovarian ultrastructure in virgin queens of Apis mellifera L. narcotized by CO2

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Profiling the proteome complement of the secretion from hypopharyngeal gland of Africanized nurse-honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

The protein complement of the secretion from hypopharyngeal gland of nurse-bees (Apis mellifera L.) was partially identified by using a combination of 2D-PAGE, peptide sequencing by MALDI-PSD/MS and a protein engine identification tool applied to the honeybee genome. The proteins identified were compared to those proteins already identified in the proteome complement of the royal jelly of the honey bees. The 2D gel electrophoresis demonstrated this protein complement is constituted of 61 different polypepides, from which 34 were identified as follows: 27 proteins belonged to MRJPs family, 5 proteins were related to the metabolism of carbohydrates and to the oxido-reduction metabolism of energetic Substrates, I protein was related to the accumulation of iron in honeybee bodies and I protein may be a regulator of MRJP-1 oligomerization. The proteins directly involved with the carbohydrates and energetic metabolisms were: alpha glucosidase, glucose oxidase and alpha amylase, whose are members of the same family of enzymes, catalyzing the hydrolysis of the glucosidic linkages of starch; alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, whose are constituents of the energetic metabolism. The results of the present manuscript support the hypothesis that the most of these proteins are produced in the hypoharyngeal gland of nurse-bees and secreted into the RJ. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Morphological and biochemical analysis of the stored and larval food of an obligate necrophagous bee, Trigona hypogea

Trigona hypogea, T. crassipes, and T. necrophaga are obligate necrophagous bees that differ from the majority of bees by using animal material instead of pollen as a protein resource. Since T. hypogea does not store protein in cerumen pots, it was thought that glandular secretions were its only larval protein source. This is in contrast to T. necrophaga which stores a yellowish proteinaceous jelly in the pots. Our results show that the larval food of T. hypogea has a higher protein content than the food stored in the pots and that it presents an electrophoretical protein pattern similar to that of the hypopharyngeal gland, indicating that workers add glandular secretions to the larval food while provisioning the brood cells. Thus, it can be suggested that T. hypogea has a provisioning behavior similar to other Meliponinae. The presence of several bands of proteins in the food stored in the pots shows that this species stores carrion mixed with honey in storage pots. Morphological data suggest that both larvae and adults make use of the same foodstuffs. These results also suggest that T. hypogea is more similar to other necrophagous species than it is to T. necrophaga (a more specialized bee).

Influence of the insecticide pyriproxyfen on the flight muscle differentiation of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)