Generalities about honey and quality parameters in Brazil: Review

Abstract

The purpose of this study was, through literature review, to describe honey and quality parameters in Brazil. Honey is a food produced by honeybees, through the transformation of substrates deposited in the alveoli of the hives. It is comprised of many natural substances that allow multiple functional and therapeutic applications. Commercial production in Brazil started in 1939, however, beekeeping was deemed agribusiness in 1980. The high demand of honey, plus the reasonable resale value, has resulted in the emergence of impure and adulterated products, and irregularities identified by isotopic carbon evaluation, physicochemical and specific microbiological analyzes. Honey is a healthy and nutritious food. Its production generates income, helps keep rural populations in place, and contributes to the increase of the biological diversity of the ecosystem. Surveillance institutions, however, must be active to ensure trade of honey suitable for consumption.