## 3 Discussion
### Volatile Chemical Composition  
The volatile chemical composition of flowers has great ecological importance, as it plays a fundamental role in attracting pollinators, particularly stingless bees of the _Melipona_ genus. This composition also influences the aromatic and functional profile of the resulting honey. Investigating floral volatile compounds provides a better understanding of the botanical origin of honey and its chemical variability. The analysis of the chemical composition revealed that terpen were the most abundant class of compounds. A study on the volatile profile of honey produced by stingless bees of the _Melipona_ genus indicated that acyclic monoterenes, such as linalool derivatives, are the most prevalent compounds, regardless of geographical or entomological origin [59]. Similar results were reported by [61], who found that terpen were the dominant class in the volatile composition of _M. scutellaris_ honey, followed by esters and alcohols. Likewise, when analyzing the volatile profile of monofloral _Melipona_ honey, terpen were also identified as the predominant class, followed by esters [62]. The honey produced by our sample of _M. interrupta_ had hotrienol as the major compound, accounting for 42.4% of the volatile composition. This compound is characterized by a fresh, floral, and fruity aroma and has a low odor threshold (0.11 ppm) [23]. In addition to hotrienol, other compounds were identified in significant proportions, such as (Z)-linalool oxide (9.2%), which is characterized by a fresh, sweet, and floral aroma with an odor threshold of 0.006 ppm [23]. 1-Nonanol (8.08%) presents a slightly floral and fruity aroma and has an odor threshold of 0.0009 ppm [61]. \(\alpha\)-Terpineol (7.3%) was also detected, known for its green and floral scent and an odor threshold of 0.046 ppm [23]. Nerol oxide (7.2%) is another notable compound, described as having a floral, green, and sweet aroma [61]. Among the other major volatiles, \(p\)-mentha-1,5-dien-8-ol (4.9%) and linalool (2.6%) were identified, with the latter exhibiting a fresh and floral scent and an odor threshold of 0.006 ppm [23]. (Z)-Jasmone (2.5%) and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2.2%) were also present, with the latter described as having a characteristic grassy note [62]. Lastly, rose oxide (2.1%) was identified, known for its floral and green aroma [63]. On the other hand, the honey produced by _Melipona seminigra_ (MSH) had benzaldehyde as the major volatile compound, representing 14.7% of the composition. This compound is typically associated with a pleasant honey-like, almond, sweet, and fruity aroma, with an odor threshold of 0.0042 ppm [63; 64]. Other significant compounds included phenethyl alcohol (12.3%), characterized by a honey-like, spicy, rose, and illac aroma, with an odor threshold of 7.2 ppm [65]; 4-ethylphenol (8.4%); 2-amino benzaldehyde (6.7%); benzeneacetic acid methyl ester (5.4%); tetradecanol (4.7%); and hotrienol (3.3%), which has a fresh, sweet, floral aroma and an odor threshold of 0.006 ppm [23]. Notably, hotrienol was the only highly representative compound common to both samples, although present in significantly different proportions (42.4% in _M. interrupta_ and 3.3% in _M. seminigra_). This difference highlights the influence of bee species on the chemical composition and sensory properties of honey. The aromatic characteristics of the major compounds found in _M. interrupta_ honey suggest notes of freshness, sweetness, floral and fruity elements, whereas _M. seminigra_ honey tends to be sweeter, with almond and fruity notes, according to its chemical profile. The chemical composition of different honey samples shows great variability, influenced by several factors, including the bee species and the botanical source. This diversity results in honey with distinct chemical characteristics, physical properties, and sensory attributes, reflecting the complexity and uniqueness of each sample [66]. In addition, bees can produce or transform plant-derived constituents into new volatile compounds.