Honeys can be classified as polyfloral or monofloral and have been extensively studied due to an increased interest in their consumption. There is concern with the correct identification of their flowering, the use of analyses that guarantee their physicochemical quality and the quantification of some compounds such as phenolics, to determine their antioxidant and antimicrobial action. This study aims at botanical identification, physicochemical analyses, and the determination of total polyphenols, chromatographic profile and antiradical and antimicrobial activity of honey from different regions of Minas Gerais. Seven different samples were analyzed for the presence of pollen, and color determination. The physicochemical analyses performed were total acidity, moisture, HMF, reducing sugar, and apparent sucrose. The compound profile was determined by UHPLC/MS, the determination of total phenolics and antiradical activity (DPPH method) were performed by spectrophotometry, and minimum inhibitory and bacterial concentrations were determined for cariogenic bacteria. All honey samples met the quality standards required by international legislation, twenty compounds were detected as the main ones, the polyfloral honey was the only honey that inhibited all of the bacteria tested. Sample M6 (Coffee) was the one with the highest amount of total polyphenols, while the lowest was M4 (Cipó-uva). Regarding the antioxidant activity, M5 (Velame) had the best result and M4 (Cipó-uva) was the one that least inhibited oxidation. Of the polyfloral honeys, there was not as high a concentration of phenolic compounds as in the others. Coffee, Aroeira, Velame and Polyfloral have the best anti-radical actions. Betônica, Aroeira, Cipó-uva and Pequi inhibited only some bacteria. The best bacterial inhibition results are from Polyfloral.

Honey is a natural product of high nutritional and therapeutic value, whose biological properties are closely linked to its botanical origin and chemical composition. This study aimed to characterize avocado honey in terms of botanical origin, physicochemical parameters, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, chemical profile by LC-MS/MS, and antibacterial potential. Melissopalynological analysis revealed 86.21% avocado pollen, allowing classification as monofloral honey. The sample presented amber color and a high total phenolic content (269.79 ± 1.10 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹), values higher than those commonly reported for Brazilian and international honeys. Antioxidant activity, assessed by the DPPH method, confirmed the strong radical-scavenging capacity, consistent with the phenolic profile identified (EC₅₀ 10.250 ± 0.003 mg mL⁻¹). LC-MS/MS analysis allowed the annotation of nine compounds, including caffeine, scopoletin, abscisic acid, and vomifoliol, compounds associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory activities. Although no antibacterial effect was detected against the tested oral bacterial strains, the results highlight the chemical diversity and functional potential of avocado honey. Overall, the findings reinforce the bioactive potential of avocado honey, particularly due to its strong antioxidant capacity and diversity of metabolites, supporting its value as a natural resource of nutritional and therapeutic interest.

Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae) is a liana native to the Brazilian Cerrado biome, traditionally used in Ayahuasca preparations. Despite its cultural importance, research on its chemical composition and biological activities, which may have therapeutic potential, is limited. This study investigated the volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites of D. pubipetala leaves, their antioxidant capacity, and their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Volatile compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled to solid-phase microextraction (SPME), while non-volatile compounds were annotated using UHPLC-MS/MS-ESI-Q-TOF. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH assay, and antimicrobial activity was assessed in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata). GC-MS analysis revealed 25 predominant volatile compounds, including ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate, nonanoic acid, and 5-methylhexan-2-one, with documented antifungal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. The crude extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed strong antioxidant capacity (EC₅₀ 9.83 µg/mL and 6.42 µg/mL, respectively), and antifungal effects were observed against Candida species. This study provides the first comprehensive investigation of the antioxidant capacity and antibacterial and antifungal activities of D. pubipetala, together with a detailed chemical profile of its volatile compounds.

Objetivo: Realizar análises físico-químicas, contagem de pólen, avaliação da atividade antioxidante e quantificação de cafeína em méis provenientes da floração de Coffea arabica, provenientes de duas localidades distintas: M1 (Santana da Vargem) e M2 (Felício dos Santos). Metodologia: Para as análises foram realizados os testes de identificação botânica, reação de fiehe, teste de lund, teste enzimático de diástase, teste de corante, teste de presença de dextrinas, classificação de cores, determinação de acidez, determinação de umidade, determinação de hidroximetilfurfural (HMF), determinação de açúcares redutores, determinação de sólidos insolúveis , determinação do teor de cinzas, sacarose aparente, polifenóis totais, análise da atividade antioxidante e quantificação de cafeína. Resultados: Foi possível observar que somente o teor de HMF da amostra M2 está acima do permitido, as demais análises se encontram dentro dos limites estabelecidos pela instrução normativa nº 11 de 10/20/2000, além de altos teores de polifenóis, e dosagem de cafeína semelhante para ambos os méis. Conclusão: As diferenças observadas entre os os méis provavelmente estão relacionados ao clima e à região em que foram produzidos. Quanto à atividade antioxidante, o melhor resultado foi encontrado para M1; entretanto, níveis mais elevados de polifenóis e cafeína foram encontrados em M2.

Objective: Perform classical liquid chromatography in a column using silica as a stationary phase, and as an alternative material pulverized eggshells. Methodology: this is investigative research, in which an alternative material for the filling of the classical chromatographic column was tested. To analyze the adsorption and elution capacity of the material, the extract of Tradescantia pallida purpura (Rose) was used. Ethanol 70º was used as the mobile phase and the eluted fractions were collected in test tubes (2 mL approximately). Results: The separation of plant pigments in elution occurred homogeneously in both silica and eggshell. We collected 14 fractions of the column with silica and 16 of the columns with eggshells, which supposes the separation of anthocyanins, carotenoids and chlorophylls, respectively. The alternative material is composed mostly of calcium carbonate, the same compound used by Tswett for the development of the technique. Final considerations: The activity focused on the use of an alternative stationary phase that, in addition to being easily accessible, consists of domestic waste that does not generate costs in obtaining. Thus, it is feasible to use pulverized eggshell as filling (stationary phase) in column chromatography practices, to demonstrate pigment separation. Objetivo: realizar a cromatografia liquida clássica em coluna usando como fase estacionária a sílica, e como material alternativo cascas de ovos pulverizadas. Metodologia: trata-se de pesquisa investigativa, na qual foi testada um material alternativo para o preenchimento da coluna cromatográfica clássica. Para análise da capacidade de adsorção e eluição do material, utilizou-se o extrato de Tradescantia pallida purpúrea (Rose). Etanol 70º foi utilizado como fase móvel e as frações eluidas foram coletadas em tubos de ensaio (2 mL aproximadamente). Resultados: A separação dos pigmentos vegetais na eluição ocorreu de forma homogênea tanto na sílica quanto na casca de ovo. Foram coletadas 14 frações da coluna com sílica e 16 da coluna com cascas de ovos, no qual supõe a separação de antocianinas, carotenoides e clorofilas, respectivamente. O material alternativo é composto por carbonato de cálcio, mesmo composto utilizado por Tswett para desenvolvimento da técnica. Considerações finais: A atividade realizada focou-se na utilização de uma fase estacionária alternativa que além de ser de fácil acesso, constitui-se de resíduo doméstico que não gera custos na obtenção. Assim, é viável o uso de casca de ovo pulverizada como enchimento (fase estacionária) em práticas de cromatografia em coluna, para demonstração de separação de pigmentos.

A experiência descrita neste relato faz parte de uma colaboração entre a FarmaVerde, a Farmácia Viva de Montes Claros, e a Unimontes, a Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros. O projeto envolveu estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação e teve como objetivo aprimorar as técnicas de plantio, secagem, armazenamento, preparo e uso de plantas medicinais por meio de treinamentos ministrados aos profissionais da cidade. A FarmaVerde, inaugurada em junho de 2021, desempenha papel crucial no cultivo, coleta, processamento e armazenamento de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos, que são disponibilizados aos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) mediante prescrição médica e acompanhamento dos profissionais de saúde. O projeto também contribuiu para a disseminação de informações sobre o uso responsável e seguro das plantas, promovendo maior conscientização da comunidade sobre os benefícios terapêuticos e o potencial desses recursos naturais.