CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE EXTRATOS DA GEOPRÓPOLIS DE Melipona fasciculata Smith de biomas maranhenses.

Abstract

Melipona fasciculata Smith, a stingless social bee, is cultivated in the state of Maranhão for honey production, but also produces wax and geoprópolis besides accumulating pollen (source of protein, lipids and vitamins) and nectar (carbohydrate source). Representing source of income for several rural families. Geopropolis is formed by collecting resinous plant material, mixed with wax and salivary secretions and added soil. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumoral and leishmanicidal actions were reported for Melipona fasciculata geoprópolis; Being demonstrated the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenes and tannins. Given the representativeness of the geopropolis and the need to add value, this work aimed to characterize the geoprópolis of Melipona fasciculata from different biomes of the state of Maranhão, aiming to contribute with parameters of product quality. The geopropolis samples were collected in 04 (four) municipalities located in 03 (three) biomes (Transition Zone between Amazonia-Cerrado-Caatinga-Costeiro, Amazônia and Cerrado Maranhense); submitted to the evaluation of the chemical composition (spectrophotometry and absorption in the ultraviolet / visible region, high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet / visible detector, high efficiency liquid chromatography with diode arrangement detector coupled to mass spectrometry with Ionization by electrospray) and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP). The results show that the samples of the Transition Zone between Amazonia-Cerrado-Caatinga-Costeiro Maranhense show antioxidant activity, being the sample with more characteristics of Cerrado of the municipality of Belágua with better antioxidant content, probably given to the polyphenolic compounds evidenced in this sample; Showing a good correlation of the total polyphenol contents with the DPPH and ABTS methods. Among the polyphenols, hydrolysable tannins were identified in the extract of the municipality of Belágua. The geopropolis extract from the municipality of Belágua, transition zone, presented more significant results. The results obtained allow to add value of the geopropolis of, as potential antioxidant products. Melipona fasciculata.