ETHNOBIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS
Comparative Biochemistry and Antibacterial Activity of Medicinally Use Honey Produced by Apis mellifera S. and Melliponid Species of Northern Amazonas State, Venezuela
DeMera, J.H.1, A. García2, J. M. González3, F.I. Michelangeli2, and E. Rodriguez1
(1Cornell University, 2IVIC, 3Fundación Terramar; Research conducted at the Yutajé research station and IVIC, Venezuela 1997)
The keeping of bees by different cultures for purposes of harvesting honey and wax has a long standing tradition and history. Beekeepers and honey enthusiasts alike have long touted the medicinal qualities of honey. While the chemistry of honey is well known, few studies have been undertaken in order to discern which compounds are behind the purported medicinal qualities that honey might exhibit. Traditionally, the native cultures of the Amazon have harvested both honey and wax from species of stingless bees (Meliponinae) found in the wild. Natural hives were either sought out or hives intentionally created in hollow logs. The Piaroa, an indigenous group from Amazonas State in southern Venezuela, recognize at least seven different folk taxons of stingless bees from which honey is harvested for food and medicine. While the Piaroa recognize the alimentary value of honey produced by Apis mellifera S. and administer honey to their children as a general protection from disease and infection, they value the honey less than that produced by the meliponid species for its specific medicinal qualities. Objectives of the study presented were to discern the bioactivity and secondary chemistry differences/similarities between honey produced by the Africanized honeybee (A. mellifera S.) and honey produced by certain stingless bees (Meliponinae). Meliponid honey (100%) inhibited the growth of Serratia mar. and Shigella flexneri. Meanwhile, honey (100%) from Africanized honeybees (San Juan de Manapiare) inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas auruginosa.
The Piaroa village at Guanai, one of three research sites in this study.
Photo by Jason DeMera
A Study of Piaroa Ethnopharmacognosy
Luckeroth, P.D.1, Safi Darden1, F.I. Michelangeli2, E. Rodriguez1, and S. Zent2
(1Cornell University, 2IVIC; Research conducted at the Yutajé research station and IVIC, Venezuela 1996)
The tropical rainforests are seen as a key component for the discovery and development of new drugs because of its great biodiversity and ecological complexity. In an environment like this, it is nearly an impossible task to screen all plants species because of time, geographic, and economic constraints. Therefore, this study adopted the approach of studying how the Piaroa use the forest's resources to treat illnesses. In our study, we interviewed a Piaroa herbalist. Two sets of extractions were done for the plants studied, one of fresh plant material in ethanol and the other was made according to the methods of preparation indicated by our Piaroa collaborator, Basilio Moreno. Both sets of extractions were compared in order to determine if the method of preparation of these plants had any affects in their chemical and medicinal properties. The different extracts were compared using TLC analysis and tested for anti-bacterial activity. The bacteria tested were: Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia sp., Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella sp. The results from the bioassays indicated that both sets of extracts for a given plant exerted similar effects on the bacterial growth.
Ethnobotany of Campsiandra sp.
Luckeroth, P.D.1, F.I. Michelangeli2, E. Rodriguez1, and S. Zent2
(1Cornell University, 2IVIC; Research conducted at the Yutajé research station and IVIC, Venezuela 1997)
The genus Campsiandra Benth.(Caesalpinaceae) consists mainly of riverine trees that are distributed throughout the rivers and streams of the Amazon basin of Brasil, Orinoco basin of Venezuela and Esquibo-Carantijin basin of Guyana and Surinam (Stergios, 1996). Plants in this genus have been reported to have medicinal and nutritional value among different indigenous groups of South America. The objectives of this study were to record ethnobotanical data on the uses that the Piaroa and the Guahibo Indians give to the species of Campsiandra present in the Manapiare Valley and to determine the bioactivity of species against different bacterial strains. Both Piaroa and Guahibo Indians use the bark to treat diarrhea. In addition, the Guahibos utilize the seeds of Campsiandra for nutritional purposes. Extracts were prepared from the plant parts used medicinally and nutritionally, and bioassays were conducted to test for bioactivity against different pathogens such as Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escheircha coli. Meanwhile, the extracts of C. comosa did not affect Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens.
The seeds of Campsiandra sp. can be ground into a fine powder
which can be used to make a type of bread.
Photo by Patricia Luckeroth