Physical Properties, Antioxidant Content and Anti-Oxidative Activities of Malaysian Stingless Kelulut (Trigona spp.) Honey

Chan Boon Keng,Ruzita Abdul Talib,Ponnusamy Subramaniam,Hasnah Haron

doi:10.5539/jas.v9n13p32

Abstract

Honey produced by stingless bee of Trigona spp. is popularly known as Kelulut honey (KH) in Malaysia. Even though KH has been increasingly accepted by Malaysians, information relating to its physical and antioxidant properties is still limited. This study aimed to determine the physical properties, antioxidant content and anti-oxidative properties of KH collected from different regions in Peninsular Malaysia. Physical properties of KH including total soluble solids, pH, moisture, ash content, and colour were determined. Antioxidant content namely total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant content (AEAC) and quercetin equivalent antioxidant content (QEAC) were also quantified. Anti-oxidative potential of KH was assayed using DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP assays. KH has pH of 3.29-3.71, total soluble solids (66.23-73.70 °Brix), 21.40-31.59% moisture and 0.22-0.41% ash content. Colour measurement showed KH from the northern region was lightest (L = 39.32) while KH from east coast (b = -5.06) and central (a = 5.65) regions were more pronounce in blue and red colours. KH from east coast region showed highest values for phenolics (1169.36±51.11 mg GAE/kg), flavonoids (79.13±0.49 mg QE/kg), carotenoids (4.61±0.38 mg/kg), AEAC (146.20±5.56 mg/kg) and QEAC (177.08±5.54 mg/kg). In line with the antioxidant content, honey from the east coast region also had strongest anti-oxidative activities indicated in its lowest IC50 value of DPPH radicals (15.07±1.05 mg/mL) and highest FRAP value (7477.03±48.80 uMFe(II)/kg). The KH collected from different regions showed varied physical and antioxidant attributes which may due to variety source of floral origin.

Highlights

In Malaysia, there are several types of honey produced in this tropical country such as Tualang honey, Pineapple honey, Gelam honey and Acacia honey
Unlike other Malaysian honeys, Kelulut honey (KH) is a multifloral honey from stingless bees and it obtained its name from the bees producing it that are locally known as Kelulut
Kelulut bees are from genus Trigona, the largest genus of stingless bees that are indigenous to Neotropics and Indo-Australian regions (Michener, 2000)

Summary

Introduction

In Malaysia, there are several types of honey produced in this tropical country such as Tualang honey, Pineapple honey, Gelam honey and Acacia honey. Unlike other Malaysian honeys, KH is a multifloral honey from stingless bees and it obtained its name from the bees producing it that are locally known as Kelulut. Kelulut bees are from genus Trigona, the largest genus of stingless bees that are indigenous to Neotropics and Indo-Australian regions (Michener, 2000). The bees store their honey in small resin pots near the end of their nests while the honeybees Apis spp. store their honey in hexagonal-shaped combs (Kek et al, 2014). Trigona carbonaria that is well known in Australian has been proven to have anti-oxidative and antibacterial properties (Oddo et al, 2008; Boorn et al, 2009)

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