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Physicochemical homogeneity of stingless bee honey (Heterotrigona itama) produced in the west coast, east coast and inland area of Peninsular Malaysia

Ramlan NAFM, Mohamad Azman E, Muhammad K, Jusoh AZ, Johari NA, Yusof YA, et al.

J Sci Food Agric, 2024 Feb;104(3):1756-1767.
PMID: 37862235 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13067

BACKGROUND: The nutritional composition of stingless bee honey (SBH) can be affected by different climates and soil composition across different geographical areas. However, the range of attributes set for a honey quality standard should be inclusive. This study analysed the sugar profile's physiochemical properties, including quantifying the rare sugar trehalulose, organic acid and mineral composition of SBH collected from inland, and west and east coasts of Peninsular Malaysia. Forty-three SBH (Heterotrigona itama) samples were collected and labelled as <20 and <40 West Coast (<20WC, <40WC), <20 and <40 East Coast (<20EC, <40EC) and Inland, according to their distance from the coasts.
RESULTS: The moisture, pH and sugar composition of all SBH samples adhered to the Malaysian Kelulut Honey Standard (MS2683:2017) but not to the International Codex Standard (CODEX) for honey. Trehalulose presence in all samples, regardless of geographical area, was predominant alongside fructose and glucose. Only hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content and electrical conductivity (EC) results complied with both standards. The principal component analysis biplot showed that the discrimination of SBH according to the five different areas was not feasible, indicating sample homogeneity.
CONCLUSION: The physicochemical evaluation of SBH from Peninsular Malaysia shows mainly homogeneous attributes of samples across geographical locations. These findings demonstrated that the current MS2683:2017 is relevant and accommodates all SBH of H. itama species produced in Peninsular Malaysia. Furthermore, the trehalulose range calculated in this study can be implemented as a new benchmark for the indicator of SBH honey quality standard by national and international food standard committees. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Effects of honey types and heating treatment on the textural, thermal, microstructural, and chemical properties of glutinous rice flour gels

Seow EK, Tan TC, Lee LK, Easa AM

J Texture Stud, 2020 12;51(6):909-916.
PMID: 32537814 DOI: 10.1111/jtxs.12544

Hardening issue in starch-based products that arises during storage, is ascribed to the long-term starch retrogradation which involves the recrystallisation of amylopectin. Present study aimed to delay storage hardening with the addition of high diastase honey bee honey (HBH) and low diastase kelulut bee honey (KBH) into glutinous rice flour (GRF) gels. As compared to KBH, retardation of texture deterioration by HBH was more prominent as evidenced by the significantly (p

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Phylogenetic relationships, morphological variation, and toxin patterns in the Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) complex: implications for species boundaries and identities

Kremp A, Tahvanainen P, Litaker W, Krock B, Suikkanen S, Leaw CP, et al.

J Phycol, 2014 Feb;50(1):81-100.
PMID: 26988010 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12134

Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Paulsen) Balech and Tangen and A. peruvianum (Balech and B.R. Mendiola) Balech and Tangen are morphologically closely related dinoflagellates known to produce potent neurotoxins. Together with Gonyaulax dimorpha Biecheler, they constitute the A. ostenfeldii species complex. Due to the subtle differences in the morphological characters used to differentiate these species, unambiguous species identification has proven problematic. To better understand the species boundaries within the A. ostenfeldii complex we compared rDNA data, morphometric characters and toxin profiles of multiple cultured isolates from different geographic regions. Phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences from cultures characterized as A. ostenfeldii or A. peruvianum formed a monophyletic clade consisting of six distinct groups. Each group examined contained strains morphologically identified as either A. ostenfeldii or A. peruvianum. Though key morphological characters were generally found to be highly variable and not consistently distributed, selected plate features and toxin profiles differed significantly among phylogenetic clusters. Additional sequence analyses revealed a lack of compensatory base changes in ITS2 rRNA structure, low to intermediate ITS/5.8S uncorrected genetic distances, and evidence of reticulation. Together these data (criteria currently used for species delineation in dinoflagellates) imply that the A. ostenfeldii complex should be regarded a single genetically structured species until more material and alternative criteria for species delimitation are available. Consequently, we propose that A. peruvianum is a heterotypic synonym of A. ostenfeldii and this taxon name should be discontinued.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext Effect of Non-hydrogen Peroxide on Antibacterial Activity of Malaysian Meliponini Honey against Staphylococcus aureus

Jibril FI, Mohd Hilmi AB, Aliyu S

J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020 Nov;12(Suppl 2):S831-S835.
PMID: 33828385 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_280_19

Introduction: Stingless bee is an insect that belongs to the family Apidae. Its name is based on its disability of stinging. It has a high product of Meliponini honey and propolis by which are commonly referred to as stingless bee honey and stingless bee propolis. Meliponini honey is one of the crucial natural sources and has the potential to kill infectious microorganisms. Previous studies have proved that the antibacterial activity of natural honey was an effect of hydrogen peroxide, a substance contained in the honey. However, these claims were contradicting with too many studies.
Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to identify the antibacterial activity of Malaysian Meliponini honey which contained non-hydrogen peroxide against Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic microbial.
Materials and Methods: Meliponini honey was used as an antibacterial agent for the treatment of S. aureus in agar well diffusion assay. An amplex red hydrogen peroxide kit was used to identify the hydrogen peroxide in the honey sample. Meanwhile, non-hydrogen peroxide activity was performed by using honey-catalase treated.
Results: For the first time, we found that hydrogen peroxide was absent in all Meliponini honey samples. Meliponini honey has higher antibacterial activity (13.30 ± 0.56mm) compared to Apis honey (9.03 ± 0.22mm) in agar well diffusion assay.
Discussion: Non-hydrogen peroxide in Meliponini honey is a bioactive compound and beneficial to kill the microbial infection.
Conclusion: Antibacterial activity of Malaysian Meliponini honey is directly contributed by non-hydrogen peroxide.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext A review of stingless bees' bioactivity in different parts of the world

Goh LPW, Jawan R, Faik AAM, Gansau JA

J Med Life, 2023 Jan;16(1):16-21.
PMID: 36873121 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2022-0160

Stingless bees, also known as meliponines, live in beehives. However, reports on the distribution of stingless bees are scattered, resulting in a lack of precision. Honey and propolis are the main components that can be harvested from their beehive, with a great commercial value of up to 610 million USD. Despite the enormous potential profits, discrepancies in their bioactivities have been observed worldwide, leading to a lack of confidence. Therefore, this review provided oversight on the potential of stingless bee products and highlighted the differences between stingless bees in Asia, Australia, Africa, and America. The bioactivity of stingless bee products is diverse and exhibits great potential as an antimicrobial agent or in various diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and oral problems.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees*
Provenance Establishment of Stingless Bee Honey Using Multi-element Analysis in Combination with Chemometrics Techniques

Shadan AF, Mahat NA, Wan Ibrahim WA, Ariffin Z, Ismail D

J Forensic Sci, 2018 Jan;63(1):80-85.
PMID: 28383137 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13512

As consumption of stingless bee honey has been gaining popularity in many countries including Malaysia, ability to identify accurately its geographical origin proves pertinent for investigating fraudulent activities for consumer protection. Because a chemical signature can be location-specific, multi-element distribution patterns may prove useful for provenancing such product. Using the inductively coupled-plasma optical emission spectrometer as well as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA), the distributions of multi-elements in stingless bee honey collected at four different geographical locations (North, West, East, and South) in Johor, Malaysia, were investigated. While cross-validation using PCA demonstrated 87.0% correct classification rate, the same was improved (96.2%) with the use of LDA, indicating that discrimination was possible for the different geographical regions. Therefore, utilization of multi-element analysis coupled with chemometrics techniques for assigning the provenance of stingless bee honeys for forensic applications is supported.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees*
Fulltext Influence of honey types and heating treatment on the rheological properties of glutinous rice flour gels

Seow EK, Gan CY, Tan TC, Lee LK, Easa AM

J Food Sci Technol, 2019 Apr;56(4):2105-2114.
PMID: 30996444 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-019-03691-z

Present study compared the rheological properties of glutinous rice flour (GRF) gel (33.3%, w/v) added with raw bee honey (RBH) or stingless bee honey (SBH) with/without heating treatment. RBH (diatase activity: 12.14 Schade) and SBH (1.53 Schade) significantly reduced the network of GRF gel by lowering the gel viscosity, with RBH having the highest rate of viscosity decrease (- 2.74 × 10-5 Pa). As the addition of heated-SBH or heated-RBH did not reduce gel viscosity, it was hypothesised that active diastase played a major role to weaken gel network. This was further supported by the significant and the lowest storage modulus (G') value of RBH-GRF gel (5.99 ± 0.02 Pa), as compared to SBH-GRF (6.27 ± 0.04 Pa) and control (6.33 ± 0.04 Pa). A detail of rheological behaviour of the gels was further explained using power law. Overall, this GRF gel model has successfully demonstrated the potential of honey diastase in weakening network of starch-based food.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Quality assessment and chemometrics application on physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant properties, and 5-HMF content of Malaysian stingless bee honey from different topographical origins

Manickavasagam G, Saaid M, Lim V, Saad MIZM, Azmi NAS, Osman R

J Food Sci, 2023 Apr;88(4):1466-1481.
PMID: 36922718 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16535

The popularity of Malaysian stingless bee honey is rising among health-conscious individuals; thus, chemical and physical evaluations of Malaysian stingless bee honey are vital to ensure the honey has achieved the optimum limits set by Malaysian and international regulatory standards so that it can be commercialized locally and internationally. Therefore, in the present study, the physicochemical characteristics (moisture content, total dissolved solids, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, and ash content), antioxidant properties (total phenolic and flavonoid contents), and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) of Heterotrigona itama (H. itama) honey from different sites in Peninsular Malaysia were investigated. Subsequently, the correlation between these chemical and physical parameters was studied using Spearman correlation coefficients. The significant difference between H. itama honey from different topographical origins was studied using univariate analysis (one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey's test). The discrimination pattern of 45 honey samples based on their topographical origins was evaluated using cluster analysis (heatmap and dendrogram) and chemometrics analysis (partial least squares-discriminant analysis). Results showed that some samples of certain parameters (electrical conductivity, free acidity, and moisture content) have exceeded the limit set by the international regulatory standard. However, the 5-HMF content of all samples was within the allowed range. A statistically significant difference (p

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Exploring stingless bee honey from selected regions of Peninsular Malaysia through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics

Manickavasagam G, Saaid M, Lim V

J Food Sci, 2024 Feb;89(2):1058-1072.
PMID: 38221804 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16903

Volatile organic compounds in honey are known for their considerable impact on the organoleptic properties of honey, such as aroma, flavor, taste, and texture. The type and composition of volatile organic compounds are influenced by entomological, geographical, and botanical origins; thus, these compounds have the potential to be chemical markers. Sixty-two volatile compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from 30 Heterotrigona itama (H. itama) honey samples from 3 different geographical origins. Hydrocarbons and benzene derivatives were the dominant classes of volatile organic compounds in the samples. Both clustering and discriminant analyses demonstrated a clear separation between samples from distant origins (Kedah and Perak), and the volcano plot supported it. The reliability and predictability of the partial least squares-discriminant analysis model from the discriminant analysis were validated using cross-validation (R2 : 0.93; Q2 : 0.83; accuracy: 0.97) and the permutation test (p 1.0) and the Kruskal-Wallis test (p

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
In vitro modulation of extracellular matrix genes by stingless bee honey in cellular aging of human dermal fibroblast cells

Abdul Malik N, Mohamed M, Mustafa MZ, Zainuddin A

J Food Biochem, 2020 01;44(1):e13098.
PMID: 31746481 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.13098

This study determined the antiaging effect of stingless bee honey on the expression of extracellular matrix genes. MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) assay was performed for determination of optimum concentration and incubation time of stingless bee honey. Gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and collagen type Ⅰ (COL1A1) were analyzed using real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique. Incubation with stingless bee honey at concentration of 0.02% for 72 hr showed significant increase in the viability of human fibroblast cells. Stingless bee honey significantly downregulates metalloproteinase-1 gene expression in both pre-senescence and senescence fibroblast cells and upregulates collagen type Ⅰ gene expression in senescence fibroblast cells. In conclusion, stingless bee honey potentially delayed skin aging through modulation of extracellular matrix genes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Changes of the extracellular matrix regulation promote skin aging. Stingless bee honey is a good source of natural antioxidant which potentially delays skin aging. This study demonstrated that stingless bee honey beneficially increases collagen type Ⅰ expression and decreases MMP-1 expression during cellular aging of human dermal fibroblast cells.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees/genetics
Effects of Pollination by the Indo-Malaya Stingless Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on the Quality of Greenhouse-Produced Rockmelon

Azmi WA, Wan Sembok WZ, Yusuf N, Mohd Hatta MF, Salleh AF, Hamzah MAH, et al.

J Econ Entomol, 2019 02 12;112(1):20-24.
PMID: 30277528 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy290

Rockmelon (Cucumis melo Linnaeus (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae)) is a novel commercialized fruit in Malaysia and has great potential to become an important horticultural crop for the international market. In this study, we investigated the effects of pollination by the Indo-Malaya stingless bee Heterotrigona itama Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on measures of yield and quality of rockmelon cultivated in the greenhouse, compared with hand cross-pollination and self-pollination. Results showed that rockmelon produced from plants pollinated by stingless bees and hand cross-pollination had higher fruit set, were heavier and larger, and contained higher numbers of seed per fruit compared with those produced by self-pollination. Pollination by stingless bees produced fruit with greater sweetness than either hand cross-pollination or self-pollination. This study demonstrated that stingless bee pollination produced rockmelon fruit of similar quality, but better yields compared to the other pollination treatments. We showed that stingless bees should be considered as an alternative, effective pollinator for the improved production of high quality rockmelon in commercial greenhouse cultivation.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees*
Optimising the production of succinate and lactate in Escherichia coli using a hybrid of artificial bee colony algorithm and minimisation of metabolic adjustment

Tang PW, Choon YW, Mohamad MS, Deris S, Napis S

J Biosci Bioeng, 2015 Mar;119(3):363-8.
PMID: 25216804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2014.08.004

Metabolic engineering is a research field that focuses on the design of models for metabolism, and uses computational procedures to suggest genetic manipulation. It aims to improve the yield of particular chemical or biochemical products. Several traditional metabolic engineering methods are commonly used to increase the production of a desired target, but the products are always far below their theoretical maximums. Using numeral optimisation algorithms to identify gene knockouts may stall at a local minimum in a multivariable function. This paper proposes a hybrid of the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm and the minimisation of metabolic adjustment (MOMA) to predict an optimal set of solutions in order to optimise the production rate of succinate and lactate. The dataset used in this work was from the iJO1366 Escherichia coli metabolic network. The experimental results include the production rate, growth rate and a list of knockout genes. From the comparative analysis, ABCMOMA produced better results compared to previous works, showing potential for solving genetic engineering problems.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees/metabolism*
Fulltext Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Streptococcus Pyogenes Exposed to Malaysian Trigona Honey In Vitro Demonstrated Downregulation of Virulence Factor

A Al-Kafaween M, Mohd Hilmi AB, A Nagi Al-Jamal H, A Elsahoryi N, Jaffar N, Khairi Zahri M

Iran J Biotechnol, 2020 Oct;18(4):e2542.
PMID: 34056021 DOI: 10.30498/IJB.2020.2542

Background: Honey has been known as a traditional medicine for centuries with its antibacterial properties. It is considered one of the most enduring substances used in wound management.
Objectives: This study aimed to: (i) evaluate the effects of Malaysian Trigona honey on bacterial structure and (ii) assess the anti-virulence potential of this honey by examining their impacts on the expression of selected genes (involved in stress survival and biofilm formation) in a test organism.
Materials and Methods: Trigona honey's impacts on the bacterial structure (cell morphology) and the expression profiles of select Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Streptococcus Pyogenes genes were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis, respectively.
Results: SEM showed that the decreased cell density deformed, disrupted, and damaged cells for both bacteria. RT-qPCR showed that the expression of fleN, fleQ, and fleR genes of P.aeruginosa were decreased, 4.26-fold, 3.80-fold and 2.66- fold respectively. In addition, scpA, ftsY, and emm13 of S.pyogenes were decreased, 2.87-fold, 3.24-fold, and 4.65-fold respectively.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that Trigona honey may be an effective inhibitor and virulence modulator of P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes via multiple molecular targets. This deduction needs to be investigated in vivo.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext Apibacter adventoris gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the phylum Bacteroidetes isolated from honey bees

Kwong WK, Moran NA

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 2016 Mar;66(3):1323-1329.
PMID: 26743158 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.000882

Honey bees and bumble bees harbour a small, defined set of gut bacterial associates. Strains matching sequences from 16S rRNA gene surveys of bee gut microbiotas were isolated from two honey bee species from East Asia. These isolates were mesophlic, non-pigmented, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0 and C16 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G+C content was 29-31 mol%. They had ∼87 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity to the closest relatives described. Phylogenetic reconstruction using 20 protein-coding genes showed that these bee-derived strains formed a highly supported monophyletic clade, sister to the clade containing species of the genera Chryseobacterium and Elizabethkingia within the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, we propose placing these strains in a novel genus and species: Apibacter adventoris gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Apibacter adventoris is wkB301T ( = NRRL B-65307T = NCIMB 14986T).

Matched MeSH terms: Bees/microbiology*
Fulltext The Beneficial Effects of Stingless Bee Honey from Heterotrigona itama against Metabolic Changes in Rats Fed with High-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diet

Ramli NZ, Chin KY, Zarkasi KA, Ahmad F

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019 12 07;16(24).
PMID: 31817937 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16244987

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of conditions including central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension that increases the risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Kelulut honey (KH) produced by stingless honey bees has stronger antioxidant properties compared to other honey types and may be a functional food against MetS. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of KH in preventing metabolic changes in rats with MetS induced by high-carbohydrate and high-fat (HCHF) diet. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the control (C), HCHF diet-induced MetS (S), and MetS supplemented with KH (K) groups. The K group was given KH (1 g/kg/day) for eight weeks. Compared to the control, the S group had significant higher omental fat mass, serum triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressures, adipocyte area, and adipocyte perimeter (p < 0.05). KH supplementation significantly prevented these MetS-induced changes at week 16 (p < 0.05). Several compounds, including 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, coumaric and caffeic acids, had been detected via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis that might contribute to the reversal of these changes. The beneficial effects of KH against MetS-induced rats provide the basis for future KH research to investigate its potential use in humans and its molecular mechanisms in alleviating the disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext Probiotic Properties of Bacillus Strains Isolated from Stingless Bee (Heterotrigona itama) Honey Collected across Malaysia

Zulkhairi Amin FA, Sabri S, Ismail M, Chan KW, Ismail N, Mohd Esa N, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019 12 31;17(1).
PMID: 31906055 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010278

This study aimed to isolate, identify, and evaluate the probiotic properties of Bacillus species from honey of the stingless bee Heterotrigona itama. Bacillus spp. were isolated from five different H. itama meliponicultures, and the isolates were characterized through Gram-staining and a catalase test. Tolerance to acidic conditions and bile salt (0.3%), hydrophobicity, and autoaggregation tests were performed to assess the probiotic properties of the selected isolates, B. amyloliquefaciens HTI-19 and B. subtilis HTI-23. Both Bacillus isolates exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and possessed significantly high survival rates in 0.3% bile solution for 3 h. Their survival rates in acidic conditions were also comparable to a commercial probiotic strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Interestingly, the hydrophobicity and autoaggregation percentage showed no significant difference from L. rhamnosus GG, a commercial probiotic strain. The results from this study suggest that B. amyloliquefaciens HTI-19 and B. subtilis HTI-23 isolated from stingless bee honey have considerably good probiotic properties. Therefore, more studies should be done to investigate the effects of these bacteria cultures on gastrointestinal health.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext Response surface optimisation and antioxidant characterisation of high antioxidant soft jelly prepared from Baccaurea angulata fruit juice and Trigona sp. honey using central composite design

Mat Alewi, N. A., Ibrahim, M., Md Isa, M. L., Abdull Rasad, M. S. B., Abdul Rafa, A. A., Anuar, M. N. N.

International Food Research Journal, 2020;27(3):454-464.
MyJurnal

The optimum combination of Baccaurea angulata fruit juice (X1: 15 - 85 ratio) and Trigona sp. honey (TH) (X2: 15 - 85 ratio) in developing a high antioxidant soft jelly was investigated based
on the antioxidant capacity (Y1), phenolic (Y2), and flavonoid (Y3) content. Response surface
methodology (RSM), via central composite design (CCD), was used to produce optimal combination effects of the two independent variables (B. angulata fruit juice and TH) for highest
recovery of antioxidant capacity (AC), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content
(TFC). The polynomial models generated were satisfactory. The lack-of-fit test were higher
than p > 0.05 for all three analyses, signifying the suitability of the models in accurately predicting the variations. Predicted values of the analysis agreed with those of the experimental values.
An optimum combination of B. angulata fruit juice and TH was developed (ratio 40:40). The
sample also exhibited significant FRAP and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Several
polyphenols were identified for the samples through UHPLC-MS/MS. In conclusion, B. angulata and Trigona sp. honey have high potentials to be used in fortifying the soft jelly samples,
making them prospective food supplements due to their nutritional and health benefits.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext Antioxidative and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor potential of selected honey of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Philip, Y., Mohd Fadzelly, A. B.

International Food Research Journal, 2015;22(5):1953-1960.
MyJurnal

Honey is a sweet substance that can be obtain from flower nectar and secretes through transformations process by honey bees. The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities of 4 wild honey (wild honey produced by different species of bees: Apis cerana, Apis andreniformis, Apis koschevnikovi and Apis nuluensis) collected from the secondary forest and 6 commercial (young and old Mangrove, young and old Upper mountain, Tropical, Potiukan) honey of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Antioxidant activities were determined using FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), DPPH free radical scavenging and ABTS decolourization assays. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition effect was determined by enzyme inhibition method. The results of this study showed that wild honey produced by A.cerana collected from the Acacia tree extracted using 80% methanol displayed the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity and ABTS decolorization assays. Whereas wild honey produced by A.nuluensis collected from the Chestnut tree extracted using 80% methanol displayed the highest FRAP activity. The wild honey produced by A. nuluensis also displayed the highest acetylcholinesterase properties as the antioxidant compounds contributed to the inhibitory properties of the enzyme. Manuka honey (produced from tea tree) found to be higher in antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase properties as compared to all other samples. The same trend of bioactivity was also observed in absolute methanol extracts. Strong positive correlation was found between antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase activity. Therefore, honey has the potential as natural antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition sources with promising potential benefits to human’s health.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext Antioxidant activity of bee pollen ethanolic extracts from Malaysian stingless bee measured using DPPH-HPLC assay

Nurdianah, H.F., Ahmad Firdaus, A.H., Eshaifol Azam, O., Wan Adnan, W.O.

International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(1):403-405.
MyJurnal

Bee pollen is considered as one of the functional foods due to its complex biochemical
properties. Bee pollen which is collected from pollen grains from various botanical sources
contains almost a complete nutrition such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, vitamins
and minerals. Its beneficial effect on health is thought to be due to the presence of phenolic
compounds with its antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activities of ethanolic bee pollen extract
(BPE) from three species of Malaysian stingless bee; Trigona thoracica, Trigona itama and
Trigona apicalis in this study were measured using DPPH-HPLC method and gallic acid (GA)
as a standard reference. The percentage of DPPH inhibition by T. apicalis BPE at 1 mg/mL
showed the highest inhibition (39%, GA equivalent to 0.3 mg/mL) compared with T. itama
(14.3%, GA equivalent to 0.1 mg/mL) and T. thoracica (6.7%, GA equivalent to 0.05 mg/mL).
Our result was the first in reporting antioxidant activity of BPE measured using DPPH-HPLC
method from three different species of Malaysian stingless bee.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees
Fulltext Metabarcoding in Diet Assessment of Heterotrigona itama Based on trnL Marker towards Domestication Program

Fahimee J, Badrulisham AS, Zulidzham MS, Reward NF, Muzammil N, Jajuli R, et al.

Insects, 2021 Feb 28;12(3).
PMID: 33671045 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030205

Honey quality is the main criterion used for evaluating honey production in the stingless bee Heterotrigona itama, and it is correlated with the plant species consumed as its main diet. The objective of this study was to obtain the metabarcode data from 12 populations of H. itama species throughout Malaysia (Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia) using the trnL marker. A total of 262 species under 70 families and five phyla of plants were foraged by H. itama in the studied populations. Spermatophyta and Magnoliophyta were recorded as the two most abundant phyla foraged, at 55.95% and 32.39%, respectively. Four species, Garcinia oblongifolia, Muntingia calabura, Mallotus pellatus, and Pinus squamata, occurred abundantly and were consumed by H. itama in all the populations. These data are considered as a fundamental finding that is specific to the diet of H. itama for strategizing the management of the domestication process specifically in a mono-cropping system and in a netted structure. Thus, based on these findings, we recommend Momordica charantia, Melastoma sp., and Cucumis sativa as the best choices of food plant species to be planted and utilized by H. itama in meliponiculture.

Matched MeSH terms: Bees

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