Physicochemical parameters of liquid and spray-dried honey of stingless bee Scaptotrigona pectoralis

Abstract

Mexican stingless bee honey was already used in ancient civilizations for food and medicinal purposes. In this study, certain physical and chemical parameters of honey [liquid and powder (spray-dried)] produced by the stingless bee Scaptotrigona pectoralis from Yucatan, Mexico, were determined. Measured parameters in liquid honey were as follows: color (85.0 mm Pfund), moisture (25%), pH (3.6), acidity (116.0 meq kg−1), ash (0.25%), hydroxymethylfurfural (43.0 mg kg−1), invertase activity (22.0 IN) and reducing sugars [38.0 g (10 kg−1)]. Of nineteen volatiles compounds positively identified, p-anisaldehyde was found as the major compound. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by using the methods ABTS•+ [37.0 µmol ET (10 kg−1)] and DPPH [3.50 µmol ET 10 kg−1]. Polyphenols content was 23.0 mg EAG 10 kg−1. Honey antioxidant activities were by ABTS•+ [37.0 µmol ET (10 kg−1)] and DPPH [3.5 µmol ET (10 kg−1)]. Polyphenols content was 23.0 mg EAG (10 kg−1). On the other hand, the spray-dried honey of S. pectoralis, presented high hygroscopicity [22.0 g (10 kg−1)], good solubility (265 s), low density (0.34 g ml−1) and good volatiles retention (77%). The antioxidant activity of the honey powder was higher [51 µmol ET (10 kg−1)] (ABTS•+ method) than in the liquid honey. The results show new information about the composition of the liquid honey and honey powder, which helps to assess their qualities. Further, the spray-drying process could be an alternative to preserve and even improve the antioxidant activity of S. pectoralis honey probably due to enrichment of antioxidant compounds in the powder.