Modeling of content of biologically active hepatoprotective substances in the composition of natural honey

Abstract

Aim. The search for ways to create hepatoprotective food additives based on biologically active substances of plant origin and bee honey is an important area of research in the field of biology and medicine. Materials and Methods. The material for the research was bees of Ukrainian breed (Apis mellifera sossimai). The process of enriching the natural properties of natural honey was carried out in a natural way through the bee family by feeding colonies of bees with a special composition of natural origin components based on Avéna satíva and Silibum marianum. Sieve honey with monofloral honey from white acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) 55.0–55.0% was used for feeding of the bee families. The first research group was exclusively fed honey water (control). For the second and third experimental groups, Avena Sativa and Milk Thistle Dry Extract were introduced into the main feed, respectively. Preparation of honey water was carried out on distilled water. Each group of bee families was evaluated according to the complex of biological and economic-useful features during the whole study period. The concentrations of active substances in the obtained batches of honey were determined. Ferulic acid was chosen as the active substance for oat, sum of Silibinin A and Silibinin B for milk thistle. The mass concentration of ferulic acid was measured according to European Standards EN 15662:2008 using Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry following acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and clean-up by dispersive solid phase extraction (Quechers) method. The limits of quantitation of ferulic acid and sum of Silibinin A and Silibinin B were 0.02 mg/kg. The high content (83.3±0.4 mg/kg) of Silibinin flavonoids (A and B), Isosilibin (A and B), Silichristin A, etc. in honey persists. Instead, ferulic acid precipitated in fairly low concentrations of honey (1.13±0.02 mg/kg). Conclusions. The obtained results indicate that the extract of milk thistle is promising for the creation of enriched natural honey with hepatoprotective properties, as the biologically active components of this plant have characteristics that allow to obtain the final product with a high content of active substances. Key Words: honeybee, biological active substances, hepatoprotectors.