Antioxidants activity and physicochemical properties of honey from social bees of the Brazilian semiarid region

Abstract

This study compared the nutraceutical potential of Apis mellifera and Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides honeys from the semiarid region of Bahia, Brazil, using microbiological, melissopalynological, and physicochemical techniques. Total phenols and flavonoids and the antioxidant activity were also determined. All samples had good microbiological quality and safety with an absence of coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus coagulase positive and Clostridium sulphite reducing spores. Were identified 41 pollen types belonging to 23 botanical families. Myrtaceae, Anacardiaceae, and Sapindaceae were the predominant pollen types in A. mellifera honey, while honey Malvaceae was the most representative in the M. q. anthidioides. Regarding the physicochemical parameters evaluated, 75% complied with the standards established by the Brazilian and European quality legislation. The honey samples of A. mellifera had higher values of phenolic compounds and flavonoids (260.0 to 341.51 mgGAE.kg⁻¹ and from 114.44 to 216.29 mgQE.kg⁻¹, respectively). The samples from M. q. anthidioides presented higher antioxidant activity. The honeys of A. mellifera and M. q. anthidioides from the semiarid regions presented distinct botanical compositions, suggesting that both species use different plant sources, which possibly influenced the parameters related to honey quality as well as the content of phenolic compounds.

Keywords:

• Quality
• composition
• social bees
• phenolic compounds
• antioxidant activity

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

We thank the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq) under Grant (305885/2017 to C.A.L.C.). This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. We also thank the State of Bahia Research Foundation (Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia - FAPESB) under Grant 8797/2015.