Análise toxicológica de abelhas sem ferrão melipona quadrifasciata: estudo de biomarcadores e metais

Abstract

Stingless bees are social insects inhabiting tropical and subtropical regions, characterized by complex social organization and a well-defined division of labor. During foraging, worker bees come into direct contact with the environment, making them susceptible to pollutants such as heavy metals. This exposure can induce oxidative stress, marked by increased production of free radicals (FRs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause cellular damage. Oxidative stress biomarkers have proven to be effective tools for assessing such toxic effects. This study aimed to determine the presence of metals in Melipona quadrifasciata bees from 25 meliponiculture sites in the Alto Uruguai region, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and to evaluate their toxicological effects using four biomarkers: total protein content (PRT), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase enzyme (CAT), and carbonyl protein (CP). The results showed elevated concentrations of iron exceeding 2,400 mg/kg, considered a micronutrient, and aluminum above 1,300 mg/kg, a potentially toxic element. The soil-collecting behavior of this species may explain the increased exposure to environmental metals. Site 7 stood out due to high barium (Ba) levels and significant changes in TP, CAT, and MDA, suggesting a potential link between environmental contamination and biochemical alterations. These findings reinforce the potential of oxidative stress biomarkers as tools for environmental quality monitoring and highlight the need for further studies to better understand the impact of environmental pollutants on native bee health, thereby contributing to species conservation and the development of sustainable meliponiculture practices.