Abstract
The recent decline in population of generalist bees such as those of the genera Apis and Bombus has shown the need to breed and manage a larger number of bee species. Among the species with potential use for agricultural pollination in the Neotropics, a peculiar small group has specialised in collecting floral oil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the chemical profile and to identify the main constituents of the floral oil of the nance (Byrsonima sericea), an abundant species in the Northeast of Brazil and widely used by oil-collecting bees. A sample of 400 flowers of the nance were collected between October 2017 and January 2018. The samples were derivatised (MSTFA) and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in a Model 7890B GC Gas Chromatograph System coupled to a Model 5977A MSD mass spectrometer. The compounds were separated using an HP-5ms capillary column and identified by comparing the mass spectra with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) database, and by comparison of the retention indices (RI). From the chromatographic analysis, it was possible to identify 23 constituents, especially fatty acids and carboxylic acids. The results indicate the presence of tricosanoic acid, palmitic acid and heneicosanoic acid as the main constituents of the oil under study. There is still a need for studies that would better explain the relationship of these constituents with the bees that use the oil.
Highlights
The great majority of plants on the planet depend on pollination by animals to produce fruit and seeds, and bees are the main agents involved in this process for both wild and cultivated plants (Klein et al, 2006; Ricketts et al, 2008)
The economic value of pollination carried out by animals is estimated at USD 235-577 billion annually, with bees accounting for 90% of that value, but despite the existence of about 20,000 bee species in the world, only a few species such as those belonging to the genera Apis and Bombus, are bred for agricultural pollination (Klein et al, 2006; Magalhães & Freitas, 2013; Potts et al, 2016)
The plant material was collected between October 2017 and January 2018, from three specimens of the nance (Byrsonima sericea) that were in full bloom during this period in the Pici Campus belonging to the Federal University of Ceará (UFC)
Summary
The great majority of plants on the planet depend on pollination by animals to produce fruit and seeds, and bees are the main agents involved in this process for both wild and cultivated plants (Klein et al, 2006; Ricketts et al, 2008). Among the bee species with potential use for agricultural pollination in the Neotropics, a peculiar small group has specialised in collecting floral oil for both nesting and feeding purposes (Wnson et al, 1997; Dotterl &Vereecken, 2010) These bees, abundant in the region and known as oil-collecting bees, are non-social species and have evolved independently in five different groups belonging to two taxonomic families: Melittinae (Melittidae), Ctenoplectrini, Centridini, Tapinotaspidini e Tetrapediini (Apidae) (Alves Dos Santos et al, 2002; Vinson et al, 2006; Reis et al, 2007). Due to their peculiarity of collecting floral oils, these bees present a tight relationship to plant species that provide this resource
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