UNAM warned against an "apocalyptic situation" for the bee ecological crisis

In Mexico, it is estimated that over the last four years, an average of 1,600 million bees have been lost, which has serious repercussions on pollination and honey production. Some experts say the situation is apocalyptic because, although it is not the only species at risk, it is one of the most important, said Tonatiuh Cruz Sánchez.

The main pollinators of the ecosystem are in crisis because their populations have declined due to multiple threats, such as destruction of their habitat and excessive use of agrochemicals., alerted the head of the Propolis Analysis Laboratory of the School of Higher Education (FES) Cuautitlán of UNAM.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development indicate that our country is the sixth largest producer ofl and occupies the third position in the export of what is called "liquid gold".

However, the use of glyphosate could contribute to the decline of honey bees and native bees. "In addition to killing them, the herbicide disorients them and they can not go back into their hives".

Other pollinating insects such as wasps, butterflies and beetles, as well as birds (hummingbirds) and mammals (bats) participating in this function are also affected.

The university recalled that the Senate of the Republic had approved an agreement to reduce damage to bees during the use of chemicals during the fumigation of crops.

Bees from Mexico

With his collaborators, Tonatiuh Cruz promotes the preservation of Mexican bees, especially meliponines, "ancestral heritage that we must take care of because they could promote the conservation of the environment".

Known as stingless bees, they exist before the arrival of Spanish; he was known of his existence throughout the territory. They produce medicinal honey and resins; its use in the pollination of crops represents today a great economic advantage.

The resins of their hives have different consistencies; one of them is geoproleos, which combines resins of vegetables and soil or mud, which provide the characteristics of an adobe.

In our country, few studies have been conducted in this regard, hence the importance of investigations conducted by UNAM experts. "We save the tradition of ancestral propolis and try to base the characteristics on their biological activity, especially their microbial action against viruses, fungi and bacteria. Until now, the results have been good because they respect the official Mexican standards. "

Ancient cultures used propolis in the treatment of wounds and fungias well as to relieve respiratory and digestive problems, among others; In addition, there has already been talk of its application in animals.

For his research in this field, The FES Cuautitlán is part of the agroecological meliponiculture network, whichIt brings together 13 badociations representing 700 state-of-the-art sugar producers, including Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco and Puebla.

This year, they will study the propolis of these entities; They will seek to inform and train beekeepers about its economic benefits and to promote them to the public.

Honey consumption in Mexico

Cruz Sánchez regretted that Mexico is the third largest exporter of honey and that the annual consumption per capita is only 100 grams, while in Germany, which, together with England, are the main consumers of Mexican honey, the latter varies between two and three liters. Of the ten liters consumed in this country, between eight and nine are of Mexican origin.

"We are used to the multiflora honey, the most common, but gourmet calls are also produced, appreciated by other consumers, especially Europeans. It would be interesting for people to know that we have honey of all kinds, such as avocado, which is produced in Merida and Nayarit. "

After having indicated that, in the propolis badysis laboratory of the FES, Cuautitlán will determine the quality of these resins within the framework of the NOM published in the Official Journal of the Federation., invited to consume bee products such as honey, propolis, pollen and royal jelly, which can be added to the daily diet with multiple benefits.