Ortrud Monika Barth

Melissopalynology in Brazil: a review of pollen analysis of honeys, propolis and pollen loads of bees

This paper reviews current knowledge on the occurrence of several types of pollen grains in the sediments of honey samples, propolis and bee loads of Apiinae and Meliponinae in Brazil. After a short historical introduction about research activities in Melissopalynology using Brazilian samples, bee products were analyzed in respect to the greater Brazilian regions (South, Southeast, Northeast and North), emphasizing monofloral honeys and the green propolis. Numerous bibliographic references and a short glossary of the technical terms used is presented.

Evaluation of the botanical origin of commercial dry bee pollen load batches using pollen analysis: a proposal for technical standardization

High quality of bee pollen for commercial purpose is required. In order to attend the consumer with the best identification of the botanical and floral origin of the product, 25 bee pollen batches were investigated using two techniques of pollen grain preparation. The first started to identify pollen loads of different colors in two grams of each well mixed batch, and the second to identify pollen grains in a pool made of all the pollen loads comprised in two grams. The best result was obtained by this last technique, when a pollen grain suspension was dropped on a microscope slide and circa 500 pollen grains were counted per sample. This analysis resulted in the recognition of monofloral and bifloral pollen batches, while the use of the first technique resulted in all samples receiving a heterofloral diagnosis.

Análise polínica de algumas amostras de própolis do Brasil meridional

The pollen spectra of thirteen samples of propolis, eight collected in the state of Rio de Janeiro, two in Minas Gerais, one in Rio Grande do Sul and one in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. The methodology applied for extraction of pollen grains from propolis is proposed as a standard, in regard to pollen concentration and pollen morphology analysis. Plant families and genera were identified by pollen morphology; they characterize the geographical regions where propolis was obtained, as well as the habitat of forest, capoeira (arboreal savanna), fields and crops. The most frequent plant taxa determined were Eucalyptus, Compositae (mainly the Eupatorium pollen type) and Cecropia. This last genus, together with Ambrosia, Piper and Brosimum were the most common anemophilous pollen in our studied samples. Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia and Citrus have a well defined flowering period and may be considered as a seasonal source of propolis.

Fatty acid composition and palynological analysis of bee (Apis) pollen loads in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, Brazil

SUMMARY The fatty-acid composition and botanical origin of 14 honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollen load samples acquired in shops and apiaries in Minas Gerais and São Paulo states, Brazil, were determined. The fatty acids presented a variable composition among these samples. All samples contained oleic, linoleic and arachidic acid. Only one sample did not contain palmitic acid. The unsaturated fatty-acid level varied from 18.6% to 55.9% of the total fatty-acid composition, suggesting that pollen is a good source of unsaturated fatty acids to the diet. Several pollen types were identified. Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) and Eupatorium (Asteraceae) pollen types were the most common among those sampled. These data might help the regulatory agencies establish quality parameters for pollen produced in Brazil. There are no additional data available on Brazilian pollen fatty acid composition.

Sugestões para padronização da metodologia empregada em estudos palinológicos do Quaternário

A metodologia detalhada a seguir foi definida pelos autores durante reunioes organizadas em Belo Horizonte por ocasiao do 3f? Congresso da Associacao Brasileira de Estudos do Quatemario (ABEQUA) em 1991. Consiste na padronizacao dos metodos de coleta e dos tratamentos fisico-quunicos a serem aplicados na preparacao das amostras destinadas a estudos em Palinologia. E recomendada para estudos palinologicos relacionados com o Quatemario e devera ser utilizada sempre que for possivel, com a finalidade de permitir uma comparacao entre os trabalhos dos diversos autores e a utilizacao dos dados publicados pela comunidade cientifica. Caso as condicoes de conservacao ou a natureza do material nao permitirem o uso desta metodologia, o autor devera descrever detalhadamente o seu procedimento.

Palynological analysis of Brazilian red propolis samples

Summary Seven samples of Brazilan red propolis were analyzed using palynological methods. The samples originated from the northeastern coastal region of Brazil; three from Alagoas, three from Bahia and one from the Paraíba state. Glandular trichomes were absent in the red propolis, as were sand, earth, quartz and starch grains that normally occur in geopropolis. The presence of pollen grains of Schinus (“aroeira”) was considered characteristic in the red propolis sediments. The quantity of pollen grains of Protium (Burseraceae), another possible resinous plant taxon, was very small when compared with that of Schinus. This tree also occurs beyond the intertide mangrove vegetation. The three characteristic pollen types of mangrove vegetation, Rhizophora, Laguncularia and Avicennia, were recognized only in one sample from Bahia. Pollen grains of Dalbergia ecastophyllum, another red-resinous plant species occurring in the coastal areas of Alagoas, were not detected in the sediment of the propolis samples. Cocos pollen grains were frequent. The palynological analysis was therefore confirmed by the multivariate analysis. The red propolis may be related mainly to resin of Schinus in the studied samples.

Própolis marrom da vertente atlântica do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: uma avaliação palinológica

Several ecosystems appear along the coastline in Rio de Janeiro State where apicultural activities are developed for propolis production, although only a few papers have been published on palynological analysis of the propolis produced in this region. Twenty four samples of propolis were collected and analysed throughout 1997, originated from three apiaries located in distinct areas on the west Atlantic coast in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The palynological analysis was carried out after removal of wax and resin using ethanol, acetolysis, and counting 500 pollen grains per sample. All samples showed a predominance of Eucalyptus pollen type together with Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia apart from minor quantities of Mimosa scabrella. Cecropia was present in most samples but the percentages varied considerably. Anacardiaceae (four pollen types), Asteraceae, Citrus, Cocos and Poaceae also occurred in most samples, but in lower quantities. The original vegetation in this region (Atlantic forest and restinga) was represented by a few pollen types with percentages below 3% (Astronium, Casearia, Celtis, Mansoa/Sparattosperma, Myrcia, Schinus and Tabebuia). Statistical analysis reflected the correlation between the plant species identified by their pollen grains and the studied areas. The palynological analysis of the brownish propolis showed mainly the similarity of the pollen spectra in these three areas, making evident the altered vegetation (from degraded areas and cultivation).

Catálogo sistemático do pólen das plantas arbóreas do Brasil meridional. XXX: Meliaceae

Laboratorio de Palinologia, Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biologia, CCS, UFRJ, Cidade Universitaria,CEP 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilCorrespondencia para: Ortrud Monika Barth, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Departamento de Virologia,Av. Brasil, 4365, CEP 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrasilRecebido em 29/11/96 – Aceito em 02/06/98 – Distribuido em 28/08/98

Palynological evidence of the replacement of the hygrophilous forest by field vegetation during the last 7,000 years B.P. in the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Historians claim that European colonizers of the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State found vast herbaceous fields when arrived in this region. Hypotheses about the origin of these fields include forest burning by the Goitacás indians and periodical floods by the Paraíba do Sul River and the lagoon system. The palynologycal analysis of two lake cores obtained in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes revealed opening episodes of hygrophilous forest and the establishment of field vegetation, recorded at ca. 6,500 and ca. 4,000 (14)C yr BP. The partial replacement of forest by field vegetation in the first episode was probably caused by floods of the lower areas during the development of the Holocene lagoon phase. During the second episode, successions of vegetational patterns occurred due to lowering of the sea level. Drying and enlarging of the coastal plain have allowed its colonization by herbs and heliophyte plants. The palynological analysis does not provide any evidence that sustains the theories of use of fire and agricultural activities by indigenous groups during these periods.

Morfologia polínica de Camarea St.-Hil. (Malpighiaceae)

(Pollen grain morphology of Camarea St.-Hil. (Malpighiaceae)). Pollen grains of eight species of Camarea, including a hybrid one are described and illustrated. The species present very similar pollen grains showing some differences in the apertures and ornamentation type. An identification key of the species studied is also presented.