Abstract
Propolis contains polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids and phenols that are able to demonstrate a broad spectrum of biological activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, and many more. This study was carried out to determine the total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of water-extracted propolis samples from three different Indo-Malayan stingless bee species, namely, Tetrigona apicalis, Tetrigona binghami, and Homotrigona fimbriata. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were evaluated using Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric and aluminium chloride methods, respectively, while the antioxidant activity was analysed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Results indicated that H. fimbriata extracts exhibit the highest TPC, TFC, and antiradical activity among all samples tested. Interestingly, the data also showed that the higher the concentration of the extract used, the higher the antioxidant activity exhibited by the samples. Statistically, there were no significant differences recorded between the different bee species' propolis studied. In conclusion, the propolis extracts showed stronger antioxidant potential with higher TPC and TFC values. This study also noted the presence of bioactive compounds from local stingless bee propolis that could potentially be utilised for their medicinal and health benefits.
Highlights
Propolis is generally made up of 50% resinous substances, 30% wax, 10% essential oils, 5% pollens, and 5% minor constituents such as impurities, amino acids, soils, and dead bees. e propolis extracts are known to contain numerous beneficial chemical compounds and biological activities that can be utilised in sectors such as pharmaceutical and health for their antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant activities, and many more [1, 2]
Ese stingless bees produce propolis extracts that can potentially be used as antioxidants, but more studies on the biochemical compounds and their biological activities are needed [11]. ere are several factors that could influence the antioxidant activity of the propolis extracts, such as bee species, propolis collection site, solvents used in extraction, plant resinous source, and chemical compositions [12, 13]. e bioactive compounds present in the propolis are able to scavenge free radicals efficiently, which makes propolis a promising source of powerful natural antioxidants that can be utilised nowadays [14]
Propolis extracts are known to be rich with polyphenols, and the concentrations of total phenolics and flavonoids of water-extracted Malaysian stingless bee samples were analysed and determined in the present study
Summary
Propolis is generally made up of 50% resinous substances, 30% wax, 10% essential oils, 5% pollens, and 5% minor constituents such as impurities, amino acids, soils, and dead bees. e propolis extracts are known to contain numerous beneficial chemical compounds and biological activities that can be utilised in sectors such as pharmaceutical and health for their antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant activities, and many more [1, 2]. Ese stingless bees produce propolis extracts that can potentially be used as antioxidants, but more studies on the biochemical compounds and their biological activities are needed [11].
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