Physical Properties, Antioxidant Content and Anti-Oxidative Activities of Malaysian Stingless Kelulut (Trigona spp.) Honey

Abstract

Honey produced by stingless bee of Trigona spp. is popularly known as Kelulut honey (KH) in Malaysia. Even though KH has been increasingly accepted by Malaysians, information relating to its physical and antioxidant properties is still limited. This study aimed to determine the physical properties, antioxidant content and anti-oxidative properties of KH collected from different regions in Peninsular Malaysia. Physical properties of KH including total soluble solids, pH, moisture, ash content, and colour were determined. Antioxidant content namely total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant content (AEAC) and quercetin equivalent antioxidant content (QEAC) were also quantified. Anti-oxidative potential of KH was assayed using DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays. KH has pH of 3.29-3.71, total soluble solids (66.23-73.70 °Brix), 21.40-31.59% moisture and 0.22-0.41% ash content. Colour measurement showed KH from the northern region was lightest (L = 39.32) while KH from east coast (b = -5.06) and central (a = 5.65) regions were more pronounce in blue and red colours. KH from east coast region showed highest values for phenolics (1169.36±51.11 mg GAE/kg), flavonoids (79.13±0.49 mg QE/kg), carotenoids (4.61±0.38 mg/kg), AEAC (146.20±5.56 mg/kg) and QEAC (177.08±5.54 mg/kg). In line with the antioxidant content, honey from the east coast region also had strongest anti-oxidative activities indicated in its lowest IC 50 value of DPPH radicals (15.07±1.05 mg/mL) and highest FRAP value (7477.03±48.80 μMFe(II)/kg). The KH collected from different regions showed varied physical and antioxidant attributes which may due to variety source of floral origin.

A Comparative Characterization of Physicochemical and Antioxidants Properties of Processed Heterotrigona itama Honey from Different Origins and Classification by Chemometrics Analysis

“…Moisture content is a crucial parameter in the determination of honey quality. Based on the Codex Alimentarius (2001) [22], it is recommended that the moisture content of honey should not surpass 20 g/100 g. This is mainly because honey is vulnerable to fermentation and has low stability against microbes when the moisture content is higher than 20 g/100 g [24]. Generally, stingless bee honey owns an elevated moisture content than Apis honey [14].…”

“…Similar TFC values were observed in M. beecheii honey from Cuba (4.19 mg/100 g) [28] and Trigona spp. honey from Malaysia (4.46 to 7.91 mg QAE/100 g) [24]. On the other hand, Oliviera et al [38] demonstrated higher TFC values in seven stingless bee honey samples from Bahia state, ranging from 30.24 to 279.73 mg QAE/100 g.…”

A Comprehensive Review of Stingless Bee Products: Phytochemical Composition and Beneficial Properties of Honey, Propolis, and Pollen

“…The author stated that the value of TPC varied due to the variation in the source of pollen around the cultivated location. A study by Keng et al [17] found that TPC values were different for honey collected from three regions, with values ranging from 525.16 to 1169.36 mg GAE/kg. The author explained that different values of TPC show that despite the honey being produced by the same species of stingless bees, the TPC value was affected by the different pollen of different botanical origins.…”

“…Furthermore, the pH itself affects the texture, stability, and shelf life of the honey. In addition, the acidity also gives extra flavour to the honey and is an indicator of microbial stability, as most bacteria cannot grow in an acidic environment [17]. Several reports that comply with the Malaysian Standards are from the species of Tetragonula fuscobalteata (Cameron, 1908), Tetragonula laeviceps-pagdeni complex, Tetragonula testaceitarsis (Cameron, 1901), Tetrigona melanoleuca (Cockerell, 1929), Tetrigona apicalis (Smith, 1857) [11], Tetragonula laeviceps [18], and Tetrigona binghami (Schwarz, 1937) [19,20].…”

Sensory and Compositional Properties Affecting the Likeability of Commercially Available Australian Honeys

“…The pH of the undiluted honey samples was determined using a pH meter (Mettler Toledo, Port Melbourne, Australia) [34]. The total soluble solids (TSS), expressed as • Brix, was determined in 50% honey dilutions using a handheld digital refractometer (Opti Brix 54, Bellingham + Stanley, Kent, UK) [35], modifying for 50% honey dilutions to allow for equipment specifications. The viscosity of the undiluted honey samples was expressed in pascal seconds (Pa s) and was determined using a viscometer (Smart Series, FungiLab, Barcelona, Spain) with an R6 spindle at 5, 10, or 20 rpms depending on the percentage torque of the sample [36].…”