Chemical characterisation, thermal analysis, and antibacterial activity of honeys from Caatinga stingless bees of Melipona spp.

Abstract

In the present study, chemical characterisation, thermal analysis and antibacterial activity of honeys from Melipona spp. with occurrence in Caatinga biome of Brazil. The honeys presented pH from 4.07 to 4.14, density of 1.41 g/cm³ and °Brix value of 79.90. The thermogravimetry (TG) analysis presented six-seven events and differential thermal analysis (DTA) presented three-four endothermic peaks. HPLC fingerprint revealed a predominant presence of gallic acid and vanillin. Antioxidant activity evaluated using in vitro 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radical scavenging with IC₅₀ values in the range of 14.5404 to 15.2454 mg/mL. The honeys also showed antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using a modified agar diffusion and microdilution method. The results of the present study demonstrate that the honey from stingless bees by Caatinga biome indicate polyphenol compounds, antioxidant activity and in vitro antimicrobial potential. The analytical methos permitted of fingerprint of samples.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Melipona spp.
• antioxidant activity
• thermogravimetry
• differential thermal analysis
• antimicrobial activity
• HPLC fingerprint

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank stingless beekeeping (meliponiculture) and the municipal government of São José do Cordeiros-PB for donating stingless bee honey.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by FAPESQ, CAPES Foundation, CNPQ, National Institutes of Science and Technology of Molecular Science (INCT-CiMol), UNIFACISA and State University of Paraiba (UEPB). This study received financial support from the FAPESQ (Paraíba State Research Foundation) Grant No. 3225/2021.