Volatile compounds in Trigona honey and their potential as antimicrobials

Abstract

Indonesia is rich in natural resources, one of which is honey, which needs to be developed to improve quality and have competitiveness. This study aimed to determine the volatile compounds in Trigona honey and their potential as antimicrobials. This research was carried out in four stages, namely the sample preparation stage, the extraction stage, the volatile compound identification stage, and the determination of volatile antimicrobial compounds stage. Trigona honey samples were obtained from Masamba, South Sulawesi. The extraction was carried out in the chemical laboratory of the Faculty of Chemistry, Hasanuddin University. Honey was extracted with two non-polar (n-hexane) and semipolar (ethyl acetate) organic solvents. Adjustment of volatile compounds extracted using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was carried out at the The State Police of the Republic of Indonesia (POLRI) Forensic Laboratory. A total of twenty-seven volatile organic compounds including carbonates, acids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, phenolics, amines, imines and oximes were detected in the Trigona honey. Of the twentyseven volatile compounds found in Trigona honey, there were six compounds that have potential as antimicrobials namely heptadecane, benzoic acids 1,3 dioxolane, eicosane, 3- hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde and phenolic compounds.