Twenty-two propolis samples produced by Apis mellifera L. in an area of the Semiarid region the the State of Bahia (Agreste of Alagoinhas), Brazil, were palynologically analyzed and quantified regarding their levels of total phenolic compounds. These samples were processed using the acetolysis technique with the changes suggested for use with propolis. We found 59 pollen types belonging to 19 families and 36 genera. The family Fabaceae was the most representative in this study with nine pollen types, followed by the family Asteraceae with seven types. The typesMikania and Mimosa pudica occurred in all samples analyzed. The types Mimosa pudica andEucalyptus had frequency of occurrence above 50% in at least one sample. The highest similarity index (c. 72%) occurred between the samples ER1 and ER2, belonging to the municipality of Entre Rios. Samples from the municipality of Inhambupe displayed the highest (36.78±1.52 mg/g EqAG) and lowest (7.68 ± 2.58 mg/g EqAG) levels of total phenolic compounds. Through the Spearman Correlation Coefficient we noticed that there was a negative linear correlation between the types Mimosa pudica (rs = -0.0419) and Eucalyptus (rs = -0.7090) with the profile of the levels of total phenolic compounds of the samples.

Uruçu (Melipona scutellaris L.) is an example of a native stingless bee typical of northeastern Brazil. It stands out due to its high-quality honey and for being responsible for 40 to 90% of the pollination of native plant species. A total of 37 honey samples were analysed, collected between July 2012 and June 2014 in a meliponary located in the municipality of Entre Rios, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Honey samples were diluted in distilled water, then in alcohol, and then were acetolysed. Climate information (precipitation and temperature) for the area was obtained during the same period of time. We found 102 pollen types, of which 71 were identified as belonging to 36 plant families. Fabaceae was the most representative family with 15 types, followed by Myrtaceae with seven types. Myrtaceae was highly significant due to the high distribution frequency and dominance of the Eucalyptus type. The Miconia type (Melastomataceae), highly polliniferous, also stood out in our analysis with a high distribution frequency and dominance in some of the sampled months. The precipitation index of the second year of study (August 2013 to June 2014) was much greater than the first year (July 2012 to June 2013), being proportional to the increase of pollen diversity in the same period.

Propolis produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) over a period of 24 months, in an Atlantic Forest area in the municipality of Entre Rios (Bahia, Brazil), was analysed palynologically. Climate data (precipitation and temperature) for the area were obtained during the same time period. A total of 115 pollen types were found, of which 92 were identified as belonging to 40 plant families and 71 genera. The study recorded the occurrence of pollen types related to resiniferous plant species (i.e. Cecropia, Maytenus, Phyllanthus, Protium heptaphyllum, Schinus terebinthifolius, Spondias tuberosa, Symphonia globulifera and Tapirira guianensis). However, the greatest percentage found was for the Eucalyptus type (60%), which was present in a sample from January 2014. Pollen from resiniferous plants, such as Schinus terebinthifolius and Cecropia spp., were present in most samples. Pollen of Eucalyptus spp. were an important marker of propolis produced in the northern Atlantic Rainforest of Bahia.

Apis mellifera is a bee that was introduced to Brazil and has adapted very well to the climate conditions and vast diversity of plants that exist in the country. In the northeast region of Brazil, beekeepers make use of the association between bees and plants by selling various bee products, notably honey. One way to identify species visited by bees in an area is by the pollen in its products. Based on this, 16 samples of honey were analysed, which were collected over a period of two years and obtained from an apiary in the Atlantic Forest biome in the municipality of Entre Rios (Bahia). In addition, climatic data (precipitation and temperature) of the region were obtained for the months sampled. The average temperature of the region during the collection months varied from 22 to 28 °C. The highest precipitation recorded in the region was 133.7 mm³ and the lowest was 0.3 mm³. Seventy pollen types were found. The family Fabaceae was notable, with ten pollen types, of which Mimosa pudica was the most important with a high frequency of occurrence and distribution. The Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) pollen type also had a high frequency of occurrence and distribution. In addition, pollen types corresponding to species that supply nectar to bees were identified, which contributes to the large diversity of bee plants for Apis mellifera in the study area.

Quality parameters, physical-chemical characteristics, and antioxidant capacity are important to ensure the successful commercialization of honey. On the other hand, the presence of antioxidants in foods gives them greater added value. Thus, based on the study of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), along with the analysis of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total flavonoid compounds (TFC), it is possible to classify honey according to its composition. First, all the samples were evaluated according to their polinic origin (melissopalynological analysis). The TAC was determined using both spectrophotometric methods (ferric reducing antioxidant power, FRAP) and electrochemical methods (ceric reducing antioxidant capacity, CRAC). All types of honey exhibited significant values for TAC, TPC, and TFC. To assess honey quality, methodologies such as moisture content, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), total acidity (TA), and water activity (A _w) were employed. Among the analyzed samples, 5 and 2 honey showed high levels of moisture (20.10-20.87%), TA (65.12-65.49 mequiv kg^-1), and HMF (>60 mg kg^-1), surpassing the limits set by Brazilian legislation. This indicates a potentially longer shelf life or the possibility of adulteration. Furthermore, it was concluded that the color of honey may interfere with FRAP (r = 0.837). In this regard, the CRAC assay presents a new alternative for evaluating TAC in bee products.