Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 126 in total

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  1. Rediscovering the antibiotics of the hive
    Boukraâ L, Sulaiman SA
    Recent Pat Antiinfect Drug Discov, 2009 Nov;4(3):206-13.
    PMID: 19673699
    Honey and other bee products were subjected to laboratory and clinical investigations during the past few decades and the most remarkable discovery was their antibacterial activity. Honey has been used since ancient times for the treatment of some diseases and for the healing of wounds but its use as an anti-infective agent was superseded by modern dressings and antibiotic therapy. However, the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria has confounded the current use of antibiotic therapy leading to the re-examination of former remedies. Honey, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom have a strong antibacterial activity. Even antibiotic-resistant strains such as epidemic strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycine resistant Enterococcus (VRE) have been found to be as sensitive to honey as the antibiotic-sensitive strains of the same species. Sensitivity of bacteria to bee products varies considerably within the product and the varieties of the same product. Botanical origin plays a major role in its antibacterial activity. Propolis has been found to have the strongest action against bacteria. This is probably due to its richness in flavonoids. The most challenging problems of using hive products for medical purposes are dosage and safety. Honey and royal jelly produced as a food often are not well filtered, and may contain various particles. Processed for use in wound care, they are passed through fine filters which remove most of the pollen and other impurities to prevent allergies. Also, although honey does not allow vegetative bacteria to survive, it does contain viable spores, including clostridia. With the increased availability of licensed medical stuffs containing bee products, clinical use is expected to increase and further evidence will become available. Their use in professional care centres should be limited to those which are safe and with certified antibacterial activities. The present article is a short review of recent patents on antibiotics of hives.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees/physiology*
  2. Discrimination of Malaysian stingless bee honey from different entomological origins based on physicochemical properties and volatile compound profiles using chemometrics and machine learning
    Sharin SN, Sani MSA, Jaafar MA, Yuswan MH, Kassim NK, Manaf YN, et al.
    Food Chem, 2021 Jun 01;346:128654.
    PMID: 33461823 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128654
    Identification of honey origin based on specific chemical markers is important for honey authentication. This study is aimed to differentiate Malaysian stingless bee honey from different entomological origins (Heterotrigona bakeri, Geniotrigona thoracica and Tetrigona binghami) based on physicochemical properties (pH, moisture content, ash, total soluble solid and electrical conductivity) and volatile compound profiles. The discrimination pattern of 75 honey samples was observed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA), Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The profiles of H. bakeri and G. thoracica honey were close to each other, but clearly separated from T. binghami honey, consistent with their phylogenetic relationship. T. binghami honey is marked by significantly higher electrical conductivity, moisture and ash content, and high abundance of 2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde, 2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexene-1-acetaldehyde and ethyl 2-(5-methyl-5-vinyltetrahydrofuran-2-yl)propan-2-yl carbonate. Copaene was proposed as chemical marker for G. thoracica honey. The potential of different parameters that aid in honey authentication was highlighted.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees/chemistry*
  3. Fulltext A New Metazoan Recombination Rate Record and Consistently High Recombination Rates in the Honey Bee Genus Apis Accompanied by Frequent Inversions but Not Translocations
    Rueppell O, Kuster R, Miller K, Fouks B, Rubio Correa S, Collazo J, et al.
    Genome Biol Evol, 2016 12 01;8(12):3653-3660.
    PMID: 28173114 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw269
    Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) far exceed the commonly observed 1–2 meiotic recombination events per chromosome and exhibit the highest Metazoan recombination rate (20 cM/Mb) described thus far. However, the reasons for this exceptional rate of recombination are not sufficiently understood. In a comparative study, we report on the newly constructed genomic linkage maps of Apis florea and Apis dorsata that represent the two honey bee lineages without recombination rate estimates so far. Each linkage map was generated de novo, based on SNP genotypes of haploid male offspring of a single female. The A. florea map spans 4,782 cM with 1,279 markers in 16 linkage groups. The A. dorsata map is 5,762 cM long and contains 1,189 markers in 16 linkage groups. Respectively, these map sizes result in average recombination rate estimates of 20.8 and 25.1 cM/Mb. Synteny analyses indicate that frequent intra-chromosomal rearrangements but no translocations among chromosomes accompany the high rates of recombination during the independent evolution of the three major honey bee lineages. Our results imply a common cause for the evolution of very high recombination rates in Apis. Our findings also suggest that frequent homologous recombination during meiosis might increase ectopic recombination and rearrangements within but not between chromosomes. It remains to be investigated whether the resulting inversions may have been important in the evolutionary differentiation between honey bee species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees/genetics*
  4. Fulltext Rapid Determination of Major Compounds in the Ethanol Extract of Geopropolis from Malaysian Stingless Bees, Heterotrigona itama, by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS and NMR
    Zhao L, Yu M, Sun M, Xue X, Wang T, Cao W, et al.
    Molecules, 2017 Nov 10;22(11).
    PMID: 29125569 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22111935
    A reliable, rapid analytical method was established for the characterization of constituents of the ethanol extract of geopropolis (EEGP) produced by Malaysian stingless bees-Heterotrigona itama-by combining ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Based on known standards, the online METLIN database, and published literature, 28 compounds were confirmed. Phenolic acids, flavones, triterpenes and phytosterol were identified or tentatively identified using characteristic diagnostic fragment ions. The results indicated that terpenoids were the main components of EEGP, accompanied by low levels of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phytosterol. Two major components were further purified by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (PHPLC) and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as 24(E)-cycloart-24-ene-26-ol-3-one and 20-hydroxy-24-dammaren-3-one. These two triterpenes, confirmed in this geopropolis for the first time, are potential chemical markers for the identification of geopropolis from Malaysian stingless bees, H. itama.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees/chemistry*
  5. Development of a zebrafish model for toxicity evaluation of adulterated Apis mellifera honey
    Fakhlaei R, Selamat J, Abdull Razis AF, Sukor R, Ahmad S, Khatib A, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2024 May;356:141736.
    PMID: 38554873 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141736
    Since ancient times, honey has been used for medical purposes and the treatment of various disorders. As a high-quality food product, the honey industry is prone to fraud and adulteration. Moreover, limited experimental studies have investigated the impact of adulterated honey consumption using zebrafish as the animal model. The aims of this study were: (1) to calculate the lethal concentration (LC50) of acid-adulterated Apis mellifera honey on embryos, (2) to investigate the effect of pure and acid-adulterated A. mellifera honey on hatching rate (%) and heart rate of zebrafish (embryos and larvae), (3) to elucidate toxicology of selected adulterated honey based on lethal dose (LD50) using adult zebrafish and (4) to screen the metabolites profile of adulterated honey from blood serum of adult zebrafish. The result indicated the LC50 of 31.10 ± 1.63 (mg/ml) for pure A. mellifera honey, while acetic acid demonstrates the lowest LC50 (4.98 ± 0.06 mg/ml) among acid adulterants with the highest mortality rate at 96 hpf. The treatment of zebrafish embryos with adulterated A. mellifera honey significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the hatching rate (%) and decreased the heartbeat rate. Acute, prolong-acute, and sub-acute toxicology tests on adult zebrafish were conducted at a concentration of 7% w/w of acid adulterants. Furthermore, the blood serum metabolite profile of adulterated-honey-treated zebrafish was screened by LC-MS/MS analysis and three endogenous metabolites have been revealed: (1) Xanthotoxol or 8-Hydroxypsoralen, (2) 16-Oxoandrostenediol, and (3) 3,5-Dicaffeoyl-4-succinoylquinic acid. These results prove that employed honey adulterants cause mortality that contributes to higher toxicity. Moreover, this study introduces the zebrafish toxicity test as a new promising standard technique for the potential toxicity assessment of acid-adulterated honey in this study and hazardous food adulterants for future studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees/drug effects
  6. Fulltext A Comparative Characterization of Physicochemical and Antioxidants Properties of Processed Heterotrigona itama Honey from Different Origins and Classification by Chemometrics Analysis
    Shamsudin S, Selamat J, Sanny M, A R SB, Jambari NN, Khatib A
    Molecules, 2019 Oct 29;24(21).
    PMID: 31671885 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24213898
    Stingless bee honey produced by Heterotrigona itama from different botanical origins was characterised and discriminated. Three types of stingless bee honey collected from acacia, gelam, and starfruit nectars were analyzed and compared with Apis mellifera honey. The results showed that stingless bee honey samples from the three different botanical origins were significantly different in terms of their moisture content, pH, free acidity, total soluble solids, colour characteristics, sugar content, amino acid content and antioxidant properties. Stingless bee honey was significantly different from Apis mellifera honey in terms of physicochemical and antioxidant properties. The amino acid content was further used in the chemometrics analysis to evaluate the role of amino acid in discriminating honey according to botanical origin. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed that the stingless bee honey was completely distinguishable from Apis mellifera honey. Notably, a clear distinction between the stingless bee honey types was also observed. The specific amino acids involved in the distinction of honey were cysteine for acacia and gelam, phenylalanine and 3-hydroxyproline for starfruit, and proline for Apis mellifera honey. The results showed that all honey samples were successfully classified based on amino acid content.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees/chemistry*
  7. Studies on the antioxidant properties of Tualang honey of Malaysia
    Mohamed M, Sirajudeen K, Swamy M, Yaacob NS, Sulaiman SA
    Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med, 2009 Oct 15;7(1):59-63.
    PMID: 21304614
    Honey has been used since ancient times for its nutritional as well as curative properties. Tualang honey is collected from wild honey bees' hives on Tualang trees found in the Malaysian rain forest. It has been used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases, where its therapeutic value has partly been related to its antioxidant properties. This study therefore assessed the colour intensity, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and antiradical activity of gamma irradiated Tualang Honey. The colour intensity at ABS₄₅₀ was 489.5 ± 1.7 mAU, total phenolic content was 251.7 ± 7.9 mg (gallic acid) /Kg honey, total antioxidant activity by FRAP assay was 322.1 ± 9.7 (µM Fe(II)) and the antiradical activity by DPPH assay was 41.30 ± 0.78 (% inhibition). The data confirms that the antioxidant properties of gamma irradiated Tualang honey are similar to other types of honeys reported in the literature.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees
  8. Fulltext The relationship between telomere length and beekeeping among Malaysians
    Nasir NF, Kannan TP, Sulaiman SA, Shamsuddin S, Azlina A, Stangaciu S
    Age (Dordr), 2015 Jun;37(3):9797.
    PMID: 26028466 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-015-9797-6
    The belief that beekeepers live longer than anyone else is present since ages. However, no research has been done to explore the longevity of life in beekeepers. Here, we investigated the telomere length in 30 male beekeepers and 30 male non-beekeepers and associated them with the longevity of life using Southern analysis of terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) generated by Hinf I/Rsa I digestion of human genomic DNA using TeloTAGGG Telomere Length Assay. Interestingly, we found that the telomere length of male beekeepers was significantly longer than those of male non-beekeepers with a p value of less than 0.05, suggesting that beekeepers may have longer life compared to non-beekeepers. We further found that the consumption of bee products for a long period and frequent consumption of bee products per day are associated with telomere length. An increase of year in consuming bee products is associated with a mean increase in telomere length of 0.258 kbp. In addition, an increase in frequency of eating bee products per day was also associated with a mean increase of 2.66 kbp in telomere length. These results suggested that bee products might play some roles in telomere length maintenance.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees
  9. A new pollination system: dung-beetle pollination discovered in Orchidantha inouei (Lowiaceae, Zingiberales) in Sarawak, Malaysia
    Sakai S, Inoue T
    Am J Bot, 1999 Jan;86(1):56-61.
    PMID: 21680345
    Lowiaceae, a family of the Zingiberales, comprise 11 species in the single genus Orchidantha. Here we present the first report on the pollination of Lowiaceae and describe a new system of dung-beetle pollination from Sarawak, Borneo. Orchidantha inouei has a zygomorphic flower located just above the ground. Observations revealed that the plant is visited frequently and is pollinated by scarabaeid dung beetles, mainly members of the genus Onthophagus. All four species of Onthophagus collected on O. inouei have also been caught using traps baited with dung or carrion in Borneo. Onthophagus was presumably attracted to the dung-like odor of the flower. Pollination of O. inouei is different from other examples of beetle pollination in that its flower provides neither reward nor protected space. Dung beetles are excellent at following a particular dung scent. Orchidantha is the only genus that includes species lacking floral nectar. It is interesting that this deception pollination using dung beetles was found in Zingiberales, in which all known species have mutual and specialized relationships with their long-distance, but costly, pollinators-bees, birds, and bats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees
  10. Fulltext The Inhibitory Effects of Heterotrigona Itama Honey Marinades on the Formation of Carcinogenic Heterocyclic Amines in Grilled Beef Satay
    Shamsudin S, Selamat J, Sanny M, Jambari NN, Sukor R, Praveena SM, et al.
    Molecules, 2020 Aug 26;25(17).
    PMID: 32858787 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25173874
    Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are carcinogenic food toxicants formed in cooked meats, which may increase the risk of cancer development in humans. Therefore, in this study, the effect of stingless bee honey from different botanical origins on the formation of HCAs in grilled beef satay was investigated. HCAs concentration in grilled beef satay was determined by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In total, six of the most toxigenic HCAs representing aminoimidazo-azaarenes (AIAs) (MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, and PhIP) and amino carbolines (norharman, harman, and AαC) groups were identified in all the beef samples investigated. A significant reduction in HCAs was observed in grilled beef marinated in honey as compared to beef samples marinated in table sugar (control), in which the reduction of 95.14%, 88.45%, 85.65%, and 57.22% was observed in gelam, starfruit, acacia, and Apis honey marinades, respectively. According to the partial least squares regression (PLS) model, the inhibition of HCAs in grilled beef was shown to be significantly correlated to the antioxidant activity (IC50) of the honey samples. Therefore, the results of this study revealed that the addition of stingless bee honey could play an important role in reducing HCAs in grilled beef.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Fulltext In vitro antileptospiral activity of trigona thoracia propolis and its synergistic effects with commonly prescribed antibiotics
    Siti Radziah Ismail
    IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(1):13-22.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Trigona thoracica propolis is known to have antimicrobial properties, however its
    antileptospiral properties and its synergistic effects with commonly prescribed antibiotics are scarcely
    documented. This study aimed to evaluate the antileptospiral properties of Trigona thoracica against
    pathogenic Leptospira species (spp.) and to study its synergistic effects with commonly prescribed
    antibiotics. Materials and Methods: The tested Leptospira serovars were Australis, Bataviae, Canicola and
    Javanica. Aqueous extract propolis (AEP) and ethanolic extracts propolis (EEP) were used. Broth dilution
    methods were used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal
    Concentration (MBC) and the synergistic effects between the propolis and the tested antibiotics. The
    synergistic effects was evaluated by using the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index. Morphological
    changes of the treated Leptospira were observed under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results: The
    AEP and EEP were found to have antileptospiral properties against the tested Leptospira spp. The synergy
    result showed that only combination of AEP and penicillin G against serovar Australis has demonstrated
    synergistic effect with the FIC index of 0.38. Morphological study using SEM showed significant structural
    changes of the treated Leptospira spp. Conclusions: The result suggests that Trigona thoracica propolis could
    potentially be used as either a complimentary or an alternative therapeutic agent against pathogenic
    Leptospira spp.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees
  14. Fulltext The complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of endemic honeybee Apis nuluensis (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae) inhabiting Mount Kinabalu in Sabah Province, Borneo Island
    Takahashi JI, Tingek S, Okuyama H
    Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2017 Sep 05;2(2):585-586.
    PMID: 33473910 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2017.1372714
    The cavity-nesting honeybee Apis nuluensis inhabits only the highlands of Mount Kinabalu of Sabah, Borneo Island. The mitochondrial genome is a circular molecule of approximately 1.6 kb that includes 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one AT-rich control region. The average AT content was 84.5%. The start codons ATC, ATG, and ATT were found in one, three, and nine genes, respectively, whereas the stop codon TAA was observed in all genes. The phylogenetic relationship, inferred using 13 PCGs, was consistent with that reported in previous studies that predicted a sister taxon relationship between A. nuluensis and A. cerana.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. Fulltext Stingless bee honey, a novel source of trehalulose: a biologically active disaccharide with health benefits
    Fletcher MT, Hungerford NL, Webber D, Carpinelli de Jesus M, Zhang J, Stone ISJ, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 07 22;10(1):12128.
    PMID: 32699353 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68940-0
    Stingless bee (Meliponini) honey has long been considered a high-value functional food, but the perceived therapeutic value has lacked attribution to specific bioactive components. Examination of honey from five different stingless bee species across Neotropical and Indo-Australian regions has enabled for the first time the identification of the unusual disaccharide trehalulose as a major component representing between 13 and 44 g per 100 g of each of these honeys. Trehalulose is an isomer of sucrose with an unusual α-(1 → 1) glucose-fructose glycosidic linkage and known acariogenic and low glycemic index properties. NMR and UPLC-MS/MS analysis unambiguously confirmed the identity of trehalulose isolated from stingless bee honeys sourced across three continents, from Tetragonula carbonaria and Tetragonula hockingsi species in Australia, from Geniotrigona thoracica and Heterotrigona itama in Malaysia and from Tetragonisca angustula in Brazil. The previously unrecognised abundance of trehalulose in stingless bee honeys is concrete evidence that supports some of the reported health attributes of this product. This is the first identification of trehalulose as a major component within a food commodity. This study allows the exploration of the expanded use of stingless bee honey in foods and identifies a bioactive marker for authentication of this honey in associated food standards.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees
  18. 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
  19. Fulltext Comparison of fusion of different algorithms in mapping of Melaleuca Forest in Marang district, Malaysia
    Saberioon, M.M., Mardan, M., Nordin, L., Mohd Sood, A.
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2011;19(3):97-105.
    MyJurnal
    Melaleuca cajuputi and Acacia auriculiformis trees are major sources of nectar and pollen for Apis dorsata and the colonies are a major source of honey to the rural poor, honey hunters. Honey is a supplementary income to many of these people (including school children) in the Marang district, Terengganu. In this study, Marang area with 270 square kilometers was chosen as pilot study area in Terengganu state for mapping M. cajuputi and A. auriculiformis as two dominant species in low land secondary forest in Terengganu state.To inventory and produce land use map of Melaleuca forest in Marang area, in this study SPOT-5 satellite image in multispectral mode with 10 meter resolution which is acquired in 2007 as optical satellite was utilized. Most images from optical satellites have some null data from ground because of clouds and shadow of clouds. To solve this problem, Hue, Saturation and value (HSV) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used as fusion techniques to replace null data with microwave data which taken from Radarsat-1 image in C-band with 25 meter resolution image. Accordingly, fusion technique which was used in this research not only was a technique to improve information but also caused the accuracy increasing than land use map by just only SPOT-5 image. Also between two different fusion techniques, PCA shows the better result than HSV as two different fusion techniques.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bees
  20. 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
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