Pollination necessary for the agricultural crop production affects the functions of the ecosystems on earth. In landscapes where wild pollinators are decreasing, honey bees promote the maintenance of plant species, therefore honey bee losses are of great concern. Current honey bee colony losses (Apis mellifera) worldwide are caused by Colony collapse disorder, the mite Varroa destructor and pesticides. This results in the honey bees weakened immune defenses making them susceptible to different diseases. Studies show that long-term natural selection for coexistence, or resistance to Varroa mites by honey bees is possible, but further developments are needed for this application in managed beekeeping. Furthermore, lactic acid bacteria found in honey bees can play a crucial role by improving its immune response. At places where apicultural practices have led to decreased amounts of lactic acid bacteria in the bees, supplementary feeding is a possible treatment solution. The beekeepers' observations of mite reproduction dynamics and the overwintering of strong and healthy honey bees are needed to decrease Varroa treatment with synthetic chemicals. Based on this knowledge, a small survey of beekeepers in Örebro County, Sweden, was conducted in an attempt to determine the status of their bees during the last 5 years. The largest colony loss over the past 5 winters was predominantly in 2012-2013. Varroa mite infestations with disease symptoms were primarily found in the central region. Since the survey was small and time was limited it was only possible to make general conclusions. Deeper understanding of lactic acid bacteria in honey bee societies and their inhibition of different diseases are important for future research.

Depuis plusieurs années, des mortalités anormalement élevées sont observées chez les abeilles, au niveau mondial. Plusieurs facteurs peuvent être à l’origine de ces phénomènes, dont l’utilisation de pesticides. Parmi ceux-ci, les insecticides de la famille des neonicotinoides et des pyrethrinoides ainsi que certains fongicides de la famille des carboxamides sont mis en cause. Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit sont consacrés au développement de méthodes analytiques pour l’identification, la détection et la quantification de 13 pesticides et leurs métabolites dans les abeilles et les produits de la ruche tels que le pain d’abeille et la cire d’abeille. Dans un premier temps, une méthode originale par dSPE a été développée pour l’extraction des pesticides cibles dans la cire d’abeille. Combinée à une méthode d’analyse par chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse triple quadripole (UPLC-MS/MS), elle permet d’atteindre des limites de quantification jamais atteintes auparavant en multi-familles sur cette matrice complexe, comprises entre 1 et 40 ng.g-1. L’application de cette méthode sur des cires ainsi que l’analyse d’autres matrices apicoles fournis par des apiculteurs (au total 488 échantillons dont 125 abeilles, 87 cires et 276 pains d’abeille) ont montré une large présence de ces pesticides dans les ruchers français. Globalement, la cire d’abeille est la matrice présentant les plus fortes concentrations et le pain d’abeille est la matrice la plus contaminée en termes de nombre de pesticides présents. Une seconde partie des travaux est dédiée à la détection et à l’identification des métabolites de pesticides générés par des expérimentations in vitro et in vivo. Pour cela, une stratégie analytique, basée sur la complémentarité entre la spectrométrie de masse à temps de vol et triple quadripole, a été mise en place. La première permet l’identification des métabolites par la combinaison de la recherche de métabolites connus et de profils isotopiques spécifiques (Cl, Br, S). La seconde permet leur détection et leur quantification dans des échantillons d’abeille. Cette double approche a notamment permis d’identifier 9 métabolites de pesticides et 5 marqueurs d’exposition. Des métabolites et marqueurs d’exposition au boscalide (carboxamide), principalement issus de réactions d’hydroxylation, deshalogenation et substitution, ont été synthétisés. Ces derniers ont ensuite été détectés et quantifiés dans des échantillons d’abeilles issus de ruchers symptomatiques. Les développements analytiques et résultats permettent, d’une part, de faire un état des lieux de la présence de pesticides jugés préoccupants dans les ruchers français. D’autre part, ils fournissent aux écotoxicologues des données permettant de mieux comprendre les modes d’action des pesticides chez les abeilles / For several years, abnormally high mortalities have been observed in bees worldwide. Several factors may be responsible for these phenomena, including the use of pesti-cides. Among these, insecticides of the family of neonicotinoids and pyrethroids as well as some fungicides of the carboxamide family are implicated. The work presented is devoted to the development of analytical methods for the identification, detection and quantification of 13 pesticides and their metabolites in bees and hive products such as beebread and beeswax.Initially, an original dSPE method was developed for the extraction of targeted pesti-cides in beeswax. Combined with a liquid chromatographic analysis method coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), it allows to reach limits of quantification never reached before in multi-families analysis on this complex matrix, between 1 and 40 ng.g-1.The application of this method to beeswaxes and the analysis of other beekeeping matrices provided by beekeepers (a total of 488 samples including 125 bees, 87 bees-waxes and 276 honeybees) showed a wide presence of these pesticides in french apiar-ies. Overall, beeswax is the matrix with the highest concentrations and beebread is the most contaminated matrix in terms of number of pesticides present.A second part of the work is devoted to the detection and identification of pesticide metabolites generated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. For this, an analytical strategy, based on the complementarity between time-of-flight and triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry, has been put in place. The first allows the identification of me-tabolites by combining the search for known metabolites and specific isotopic profiles (Cl, Br, S). The second allows their detection and quantification in bee samples.This dual approach has identified 9 pesticide metabolites and 5 markers of exposure. Metabolites and markers of exposure to boscalid (carboxamide), mainly derived from hydroxylation, dehalogenation and substitution reactions, have been synthesized. These were then detected and quantified in bee samples from symptomatic apiaries.These analytical developments and results make it possible, on the one hand, to make an inventory of the presence of pesticides of concern in french apiaries. On the other hand, they provide ecotoxicologists with data to better understand the behavior of pesticides in bees

Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm är en algoritm som tidigare tillämpats på många numeriska optimeringsproblem. Algoritmen är dock inte vanligt förekommande vad gäller vägplanering i dataspel. Detta arbete undersöker ifall algoritmen presterar bättre än A* på fyra olika testmiljöer eftersom A* är en av de mest använda algoritmerna för vägplanering i dataspel och således en bra referens. De aspekter som jämförs vid mätningarna är algoritmernas tidsåtgång samt längden på de resulterande vägarna. En riktad slumpgenerering av vägar har implementerats till algoritmen som gör att den inte fungerar på djupa återvändsgränder. Algoritmen har också en roulettehjulsselektion samt egenskapen att kunna generera slumpade grannvägar till de som skapats hittills. Resultaten visar att Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm presterar betydligt sämre än A* och att algoritmen därför inte är en bättre algoritm för vägplanering i dataspel. Algoritmen har dock potential till att prestera bättre och fungera på återvändsgränder om man förbättrar dess slumpgenerering av vägar.

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular eukaryotic parasites related to fungi, possessing greatly reduced genomic and cellular components. The microsporidian Nosema ceranae threatens honeybee (Apis mellifera) populations. Nosemosis has a complex epidemiology affected by host, pathogen and environmental factors. Although a draft of the N. ceranae genome has been published, the molecular basis underpinning pathogenicity is not known. The lack of established culturing techniques and a tractable genetic system necessitates use of model systems for both host and parasite such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. I hypothesise effectors essential to disease progression exist amongst N. ceranae secretome genes. In this study I have started characterising these genes using a combination of established and novel techniques for studying microsporidia proteins including bioinformatics, heterologous expression in S. cerevisiae, and the genome-wide analysis platform of Synthetic Genetic Arrays. This effort has yielded new insights into N. ceranae secreted proteins which lack similarity to known sequences. I identified N. ceranae protein NcS77 as a candidate effector implicated in targeting host nuclear pores. NcS50 and NcS85 co-localise with ERG6 a marker for lipid droplets (an organelle known to be targeted by another obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis) when expressed in S. cerevisiae. N. ceranae polar tube proteins (PTP) induce filament formation when expressed in S. cerevisiae and PTP2 co-localises with the cell wall. Interestingly this phenotype is replicated by another secreted protein which may infer a common function. Together these data contribute to knowledge on N. ceranae pathology bringing us closer to understanding the disease and ultimately lead the way to mitigation.

The occurrence of Nosema disease, tracheal mites and the “pseudo-parasitic” behaviour of Cape honeybee workers when placed amongst African honeybees – known as the Cape Bee Problem – were studied over a 18 month period. Three surveys, approximately 6 months apart were done. The aims of this study were to establish the distribution and severity of the diseases and compare the disease with the presence of the Cape Bee Problem. Before this survey commenced European Foul Brood disease, Sacbrood (virus), Nosema, Brood nosema, and Tracheal mite have sporadically been reported in the summer rainfall region of South Africa. In the first survey 1005 colonies in 61 apiaries were surveyed, 803 colonies in 57 apiaries in the second, and 458 colonies in 41 apiaries in the third. Samples for disease and parasite analysis were taken at 4 colonies per apiary. Ten colonies per apiary were inspected for Cape Problem Bees, and samples of workers were collected and dissected at each of these colonies. Even with the addition of apiaries to 'fill-up' lost colonies during the second survey, 63% of all colonies were lost by the third survey. There was only a small difference in colony loss between sedentary and migratory beekeepers of 22% compared to 27%. Nosema was more prevalent amongst commercial beekeepers and increased in migratory operations during the survey period. The percentage of colonies infected increased during the survey period from 23% to 32% to 34%. The placement of colonies in Eucalyptus plantations may boost infection. Trachea mites seem to have spread quite rapidly in South Africa since its discovery. This parasitic mite was present in all regions, although in low numbers in three most northern regions. Sedentary colonies had higher levels of infestation than migratory colonies. The number of colonies infested diminished over the survey period, which may be a result of general colony loss. The Cape Problem Bee was less of a problem than anticipated. Colonies succumbed to Cape Problem Bees in all regions. When beekeepers reported high levels of infestation in their bee stocks the colonies would be dead within six months. In apiaries with low infestation the die-out was slower.

The honeybees Apis cerana and Apis mellifera are derived from the same ancestral base about two million years ago. With speciation and evolution, they have acquired many advanced living skills in common, but have also evolved very different living strategies due to different distributions. This thesis is an intensive study of the biology of the mixed-species colonies of these species, the aims of which were to investigate their behavioural relationships and uncover the evolutionary conserved features of their behaviours subsequent to speciation. The results show that the two species can form a stable society to perform normal tasks. First, workers of both species in the mixed-colonies could form the typical retinue behaviour to hetero-species queens, thus indicating that queen pheromones could be spread to and by both species. Secondly, both species did not show significantly different ovarian activation under hetero-species queens, suggesting that the queen pheromones more likely play a role of "honest signal" rather than a "repression" substance in the honeybee colonies. Thirdly, both species could mutually decode each other‘s waggle dances, with unexpectedly low misunderstanding; revealing that the dance language in a dark environment is quite adaptive for cavity-nesting honeybees. Fourthly, workers of both species could cooperate with each other in comb construction, although the combs they built contain many irregular cells. Interestingly, A. cerana workers could be stimulated by A. mellifera workers to perform this task, thus confirming self-organization theory in the colony. Fifthly, A. mellifera workers behaved more "defectively" in thermoregulation, but perhaps because A. cerana workers are more sensitive to changes in hive temperature. Given these differences in strategy, A. mellifera workers‘ performance might in fact reduce conflicts. Lastly, when faced with threats of predatory wasps, both species engaged in aggressive defence. Although they did not learn from each other‘s responses, species-specific strategies were adopted by each of them so that the defence of the mixed-colonies is very effective. I conclude that the two species can adapt to each other‘s efforts and task allocation is reasonably organized allowing mixed-species colonies to reach stability. These results suggest that all of the social behaviours discussed here were highly conserved following speciation. This thesis could provide some clues for the study of honeybee evolution from open-nesting to the transition of cavity-nesting.

Beekeeping and Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are the key words in this study. The study investigates the effectiveness of the use of PPP for the development of commercial beekeeping for the small-scale beekeepers in selected rural areas of the Amathole District Municipality. The small-scale beekeepers do not seem to be achieving the required results of meeting market demands for honey and other bee by-products, due to challenges associated with production and marketing of these products. Significant investment (physical, human and financial) is required to develop the capacity of the small scale beekeepers in order to generate honey for the market and associated revenue in any significant quantity. While job creation and poverty alleviation are key issues on the government’s service delivery agenda, specifically through entrepreneurial development, government alone does not have the capacity to provide all the necessary resources for the establishment of commercial beekeeping to the resource-poor small-scale beekeepers. Based on the results of this study, all respondents (beekeepers and officials) in the study had a general understanding of “Public Private Partnerships”. However, the general interpretation of PPP was where government, business and civil society are working together in areas of mutual interest to achieve common or complementary goals than the regulated PPP arrangements guided by the specialized Treasury PPP Unit, whereby contractual obligation between different role players is paramount. In the context of small-scale beekeeping, all respondents were in support of type of PPP, whereby the association or partnership would involve the transfer of substantial financial, technical and operational risks. Besides the numerous limitations faced by the small-scale beekeepers in the running of their beekeeping operations, the study identified the following as the major factors believed to be compromising and limiting the proper functioning of PPP.

O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi quantificar as vitaminas antioxidantes (tocoferóis, ácido ascórbico, α- e β-caroteno) bem como a composição química de amostras de pólen apícola obtidas em apiários georreferenciados da região sul do Brasil e desidratadas de forma controlada conforme recomendação da legislação brasileira. Inicialmente foi realizada a composição química de 21 amostras de pólen apícola desidratados sendo os valores médios de 3,37% para umidade, 19,80% para proteínas, 3,44% para lipídios, 2,02% para cinzas. Pode-se verificar que a maioria das amostras encontraram-se dentro dos parâmetros de qualidade preconizados pela legislação brasileira. Além disso, utilizando a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE), foi confirmando a presença de açúcares redutores glicose (6,77%) e frutose (5,39%) nas amostras. A determinação da vitamina C foi realizada por titulometria e os valores encontrados variaram entre 60 e 797 µg/g, sendo duas amostras consideradas fonte desta vitamina para homens e três para mulheres conforme a Ingestão Dietética de Referência (IDR). Já os tocoferóis e o α- e β-caroteno foram analisados por CLAE. Com relação aos tocoferóis (α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocoferol), os valores foram apresentados como equivalentes de alfa-tocoferol e variaram entre 0,57 e 11,7 mg/100g, podendo duas amostras serem consideradas fontes de vitamina E. Da mesma forma, duas amostras foram consideradas fontes de vitamina A, levando-se em consideração os valores encontrados para α- e β-caroteno, que variaram entre 3,9 e 4945 µg de equivalentes de retinol por 100g de amostra. A caracterização das amostras com relação a origem botânica mostrou uma grande variedade entre os tipos polínicos encontrados nas diferentes amostras. Chama-se atenção para o gênero Eucalyptus que esteve presente em 16 amostras, sendo em duas delas como pólen dominante (>45% do total de grãos), bem como duas amostras que puderam ser considerados monoflorais (>90% do total de grãos). Os resultados estatísticos (correlação) mostraram que alguns tipos polínicos se correlacionam de maneira positiva e forte com a composição nutricional do pólen apícola, como os gêneros Brassicacom os teores de lipídios e proteínas, Euterpe com o α-tocoferol, α- e β-caroteno, Piptocarpha com os tocoferóis (β-, γ- e δ-), Senecio com α- e β-caroteno. O presente trabalho contribui de forma importante para a caracterização química e botânica do pólen apícola produzido em apiários georreferenciados da região sul do Brasil, valorizando assim o produto e trazendo informações e benefícios para apicultores e consumidores além de fornecer dados relevantes para o estudo e padronizações metodológicas nacional e internacionais para este produto. / The aim of this study was to quantify the antioxidant vitamins (tocopherols, ascorbic acid, α- and β-carotene ) as well as the chemical composition of samples of bee pollen obtained from georeferenced apiaries of southern Brazil and dehydrated in a controlled manner as recommended by brazilian regulation. Initially the chemical composition of 21 samples of dehydrated bee pollen was performed and the average values is 3.37 % for moisture, 19.80 % for proteins, 3.44 % for lipids, 2.02 % for ash. It can be seen that most of the samples were within the quality parameters recommended by brazilian regulation. Furthermore, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was confirmed the presence of reducing sugars glucose (6.77%) and fructose (5.39%) in the samples. The determination of vitamin C was performed by titration and the values varied from 60 to 797 µg/g, and two samples can be considered source of this vitamin for men and three for women according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). The tocopherols and α- and β-carotene were analyzed by HPLC. With respect to tocopherols (α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocopherol ), the values were expressed as equivalents of alpha-tocopherol and ranged between 0.57 and 11.7 mg/100g, so two samples can be considered sources of vitamin E. Similarly, two samples were considered sources of vitamin A, taking into consideration the values for α and β-carotene, ranging from 3.9 to 4945 µg of retinol equivalents per 100g of sample. The characterization of the samples with respect to botanical origin showed a variety of pollen types found in different samples. Attention is drawn to the genus Eucalyptuswhich was present in 16 samples, and in two of them as the predominant pollen (> 45 % of total grains counted) and two samples that could be considered monofloral (> 90 % of total grains counted). The statistical results (correlation) showed that some pollen types correlate positively and strongly with the nutritional composition of pollen as Brassica genera with the levels of lipids and proteins, Euterpe with α-tocopherol, α- and β-carotene, Piptocarpha with tocopherols (β- , γ- and δ-), Senecio with α- and β-carotene. This study contributes significantly to the chemical and botanical characterization and the georeferenced bee pollen produced in apiaries of southern Brazil, thus enhancing the product and bringing information and benefits to beekeepers and consumers and provide relevant data for the study and methodological standardization national and international for this product.

O pólen além de ser a principal fonte de alimento não líquido, para as abelhas, tem sido utilizado como um suplemento da dieta humana. Apesar de muitos autores afirmarem que os produtos apícolas são ricos em nutrientes, pouco se sabe sobre a composição do pólen apícola especialmente em relação à presença das vitaminas do complexo B. De forma original este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a estabilidade das vitaminas do complexo B (B1, B2, B6 e PP) incluindo seus vitâmeros, durante o período de um ano de estocagem, em amostras de pólen apícola desidratado. Verificou-se também o efeito do processamento sobre o conteúdo dessas vitaminas além da possível influência dos tipos polínicos sobre a composição centesimal e conteúdo vitamínico. Foram analisadas concentrações das vitaminas no tempo zero e após 4, 8 e 12 meses, estocadas sob três condições distintas: em temperatura ambiente (com e sem exposição à luz) e em freezer. As vitaminas, após a extração simultânea, foram quantificadas por CLAE, com detecção por fluorescência. Todas as vitaminas propostas foram encontradas nas amostras analisadas e o processo de desidratação não interferiu no conteúdo das mesmas (p<0,05). As variações foram (base seca): 0,59 a 1,09 mg/100g para vitamina B1; 1,73 a 2,56 mg/100g para a vitamina B2; 6,43 a 15,34 mg/100g para a vitamina PP e 0,33 a 0,68 mg/100g para a vitamina B6 . Todas as amostras foram classificadas como pólen heterofloral, em função da grande variabilidade dos tipos polínicos presentes. Após um ano de estocagem pode-se afirmar que a concentração da vitamina B1 se manteve constante enquanto que para as demais vitaminas o decaimento da concentração foi dependente do tempo de armazenamento e não da condição de estocagem das amostras (p<0,05). Todas as amostras foram consideradas fonte da vitamina B2. Foi possível explicar matematicamente, através de equações de regressão linear oriundas da análise multivariada, a influência do tempo de armazenamento nas concentrações das vitaminas B6 e PP, com explicabilidade de 76 e 60% respectivamente. / Pollen is the main source of non liquid food for bees and it has been used as a supplement for human diet. Although many authors cited that bee products are rich in nutrients, it is known a little about the composition of bee pollen and, in particular, the presence of the B vitamin complex in this product. This original study has the objective of evaluate the stability of B complex vitamins (B1, B2, B6 and PP), including its vitamers for a period of one year of storage in dried samples of bee pollen. It was also analyzed the effect of processing on vitamin content and the possible influence of polinic types on proximate composition and vitamin content. Samples were analyzed at time zero, after 4, 8 and 12 months. They were storaged under three different conditions: room temperature (with and without exposure to light) and freezer. The vitamins were quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection after simultaneous extraction. All proposed vitamins were found in the analyzed samples and the dehydration process did not interfere in vitamin content (p<0.05). The variations were (dry basis): 0.59 to 1.09 mg/100g for vitamin B1; 1.73 to 2.56 mg/100g for vitamin B2; 6.43 to 15.34 mg/100g for vitamin PP and 0.33 to 0.68 mg/100g for vitamin B6. All samples were classified as heterofloral pollen, according to the big variability of polinic types. After one year of storage, it can be stated that vitamin B1 concentration remained constant, while for the other vitamins, the concentration loose was dependent on time and not on the storage condition (p<0.05). All samples were considered Vitamin B2 source. It was possible to explain mathematically, through linear regression equations of multivariate analysis, the influence of storage time in the concentrations of vitamin B6 and PP, they were explained as 76 and 60% respectively.

Entende-se por pólen apícola o resultado da aglutinação do pólen das flores, efetuado pelas abelhas operárias, mediante néctar e substâncias salivares, o qual é recolhido no ingresso da colmeia. A literatura descreve que esse alimento contém proteínas, carboidratos, lipídeos, vitaminas e minerais. De acordo com estudo prévio, amostras de pólen apícola in natura e desidratado, da cidade de Pariquera-Açu (São Paulo), apresentaram teores significativos de vitamina B1(tiamina) e B2 (riboflavina), além da presença dos vitâmeros da vitamina B3 (ácido nicotínico e nicotinamida) e B6 (piridoxal, piridoxol e piridoxamina) em sua composição o que foi associado à flora local explorada pelas abelhas. A região Sul do Brasil possui clima, relevo e vegetação diferenciados de outras regiões, necessitando-se assim da verificação do potencial vitamínico deste produto local. Destaca-se, ainda, o fato de que nesta região encontra-se um dos dois maiores produtores nacionais de pólen apícola (estado de Santa Catarina). O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal quantificar os teores das vitaminas do complexo B: vitaminas B1 e B2, assim como os vitâmeros das vitaminas B3 e B6. Foram coletados 28 lotes de pólen apícola desidratado de diferentes localidades da região Sul durante o período de agosto de 2011 a dezembro de 2012 que posteriormente foram armazenados, a -18 °C até o momento das análises. As vitaminas do complexo B foram analisadas por cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) na matriz pólen apícola desidratado e os resultados foram expressos em base seca. Entre as amostras analisadas foram verificados teores de vitamina B1 variando entre 0,46 e 1,83 mg / 100 g de pólen apícola; vitamina B2 de 0,40 à 1,86 mg / 100 g e quanto à vitamina B6 apenas os vitâmeros piridoxal e piridoxamina puderam ser quantificados em todos os lotes analisados. O piridoxal teve variação entre as amostras de 0,42 à 6,70 mg / 100 g e a piridoxamina de 0,26 à 0,95 mg / 100g. Em relação à vitamina B3, o vitâmero ácido nicotínico apresentou-se nos diferentes lotes variando de 0,68 à 3,93 mg / 100 g e a nicotinamida de 0,27 à 5,54 mg / 100 g de produto. Tomando-se como porção sugerida para consumo diário 25 g de pólen apícola, verificou-se que num total de 28 amostras, 15 foram consideradas fontes e 2 como ricas em tiamina; 19 lotes foram fontes e 3 ricos em riboflavina, e; 2 lotes foram fontes e 26 ricos em piridoxina segundo à Ingestão Diária Recomendada (IDR) para adultos como disponibilizado na Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada (RDC) nº. 269, de 22 de setembro de 2005. / Bee pollen is understood to be the result of agglutination of pollen from flowers, made by worker bees, and nectar through salivary substances, which is collected at the hive entrance. The literature describes that this product contains proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals. Previous study with fresh and dehydrated bee pollen, from the city of Pariquera-Açu (São Paulo) showed significant levels of vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), presence of B3 (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) and B6 (pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, piridoxol) vitamins vitamers in its composition which was associated with the local flora explored by bees. Southern Brazil has a differentiated climate, topography and vegetation from other regions, thus requiring verification of vitamin potential of this local product. Also stands out the fact that this region is one of the two largest national producers of bee pollen (Santa Catarina state). This study aimed to quantify the levels of B complex vitamins: vitamins B1, B2, as well as the vitamers of vitamins B3 and B6. Thus, it was collected 28 batches of dehydrated bee pollen from different locations in the South during the period from August 2011 to December 2012. Samples were obtained and subsequently stored at -18 ° C until the analysis time. B vitamins were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in bee pollen dehydrated matrix and results were expressed on a dry basis. Among the samples it levels of vitamin B1 varied from 0.46 to 1.83 mg / 100 g; vitamin B2 from 0.40 to 1.86 mg / 100 g; and for vitamin B6, only the pyridoxal and pyridoxamine vitamers could be quantified in all analyzed batches. The pyridoxal had variation between samples from 0.42 to 6,70 mg / 100 g and pyridoxamine from 0.26 to 0.95 mg / 100g. Taking 25 g of bee pollen as suggested for daily intake portion, it was found in a total of 28 samples that 15 were considered sources and 2 rich in thiamine; 19 lots were sources and 3 rich in riboflavin, and; 2 lots were sources and 26 rich in pyridoxine in relation to the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for adults as provided in Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada (RDC) nº 269, de setembro de 2005.