Quality Parameters Needed for Bee Products Used in Apitherapy

Abstract

Apitherapy represents the utilization of bee products for preventing and curing a series of illnesses and also the promotion of a healthy life style through consumption of these products. Due to the fact that apitherapy is a part of medical science, bee products used for this purpose must have a certain quality, namely, they must possess a series of biologically active compounds that will help in the healing process. This study aims to show the "quality standards" for bee products used in apitherapy. Different samples of honey, propolis, bee-pollen, bee bread and royal jelly were analyzed for their physico-chemical parameters as well as for their active compounds, specific for each matrix. Standard methods were adapted in the lab for each matrix, using spectrophotometric and chromatographic determinations. Physico-chemical analyses of honey, bee-pollen, bee bread, propolis and royal jelly were in accordance with literature results. High amounts of flavonoids and phenolic acids were quantified in propolis tincture, bee pollen, bee bread, royal jelly and honey. Royal jelly samples were proved to be authentic and have a high amount of 10-hydroxydecenoid acid, a compound with high antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Use of Royal Jelly as Functional Food on Human and Animal Health

“…Due to the various pharmacological properties, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, RJ is extensively consumed in daily diets in many countries (Eshraghi and Seifollahi, 2003;Bărnutiu et al, 2012;Stangaciu et al, 2015;Stratev et al, 2015;Zhang et al, 2017b).…”

“…The harvest time of the royal jelly influences its quality and the content (Karlıdağ and Genç, 2009;Zheng et al, 2011). In an analysis made of the local royal jelly produced in Romania, 10-HDA content was found to be ranging between 0.75-3.8% (Mărghitaş et al, 2013;Stangaciu et al, 2015;Mărgăoan et al, 2017). In the chemical composition of royal jelly produced in Bulgaria and Romania, low fructose levels were detected with high protein and sucrose from the Bulgarian royal jelly.…”

Calluna vulgaris as a Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds: Exploring Its Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities and Apitherapeutic Potential

“…C. vulgaris has long been used in traditional medicine due to the therapeutic potential of its phenolic compounds, whose presence is vital in exerting the plant’s biological activity. Furthermore, it is well known that even natural products that are C. vulgaris -derived, such as honey, contain high amounts of active compounds that exhibit numerous pharmacological benefits and that are commonly used in alternative medicine, or apitherapy [ 104 , 105 ].…”

“…Despite the fact that, recently, much of scientists’ focus has been on the chemical constituents and biological properties of C. vulgaris , there has not been any systematic review to point out all of the available constituents and the beneficial health properties of this invasive plant, or of its related honey. The prevention and treatment of various disorders using natural products, specifically honey-related products, is known as apitherapy [ 104 , 105 , 106 ]. This alternative medicinal treatment has been proved to have positive results on different in vivo and in vitro assays, as this overview will point out.…”

Towards a Better Understanding of Nutritional and Therapeutic Effects of Honey and Their Applications in Apitherapy

“…Historical finds and rock paintings from ancient times (the Spider Cave in Spain and ancient Egyptian temples) [6] highlight the importance that honey and other bee products had for many civilisations (Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Islamic, among others) in terms of prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases [35]. The term "apitherapy" derives from "apis" meaning "bee", and therapy" meaning "treatment" [36]. Despite the fact that the term was mainly used for bee venom therapy [37], thanks to several studies carried out in the last years, all bee products are now considered as having important and healing qualities, and therefore, regarded as part of an alternative and complementary medicine, namely, apitherapy.…”