Stingless Bee Species Research Articles

Taxonomic Status of Stingless Bee Lepidotrigona arcifera (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) from the Southwest China - Tibetan Plateau

Abstract The stingless bee, Lepidotrigona arcifera, which was first reported in northeast India is a pollinating insect of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, little information about this species is known in terms of taxonomic status as well as detailed morphological characteristics. In this study, we discovered a stingless bee in Tibet that belongs to an Alpine climate region. The morphological comparison with the India stingless bee, confirms that this newly discovered species is L. arcifera from the Tibet plateau. To determine the taxonomic status of this Tibetan stingless bee, we sequenced the 16S rRNA and COI genes of samples from a dozen colonies and compared them to some other known bee species. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Tibetan L. arcifera is grouped with the other stingless bee species and most closely sistered to the stingless bee, L. flavibasis. The genetic distance between Tibetan L. arcifera and the other stingless bee species is approaching those between pairwise bee species belonging to other such bee genera as Bombus and Apis. Hence, our results not only offer new information on species distribution and morphological characteristics of L. arcifera but also confirm its taxonomic status among stingless bees for the first time, which will contribute to understanding the biodiversity of stingless bees in the future.

Karyotypes and chromosomal mapping of some repetitive DNAs in two stingless bee species (Apidae: Meliponini), with the description of a B chromosome in Plebeia genus.

Cytogenetic studies on stingless bees have significantly contributed to our understanding of karyotypic evolution and the composition of euchromatin and heterochromatin regions, including repetitive sequences. In this study, we performed classical cytogenetics, chromosomal banding, and mapping of some repetitive sequences in two stingless bee species, Frieseomelitta trichocerata and Plebeia poecilochroa. The species exhibit the typical diploid chromosome number of each genera, 2n=30 for Frieseomelitta and 2n=34 for Plebeia. Additionally, some individuals of P. poecilochroa presented a small heterochromatic B chromosome, showing a numeric variation of n=17 to 18 in males and 2n=34 to 35 in females. In both species heterochromatin is primarily distributed in the short arm and centromeric regions. Centromeric regions were found to be AT-rich in both species, while subterminal/terminal regions of the short arms of one and six chromosomes presented GC-rich sites in P. poecilochroa and F. trichocerata, respectively. The rDNA clusters mapped on two chromosome pairs in F. trichocerata, and in only one in P. poecilochroa. Microsatellites (GA)n, (GAG)n, and (CAA)n were predominantly mapped in euchromatic regions, while the telomeric motif (TTAGG)n mapped to the ends of most chromosomes, including the B chromosome of P. poecilochroa. The other repetitive probes used, including the rDNA clusters, do not label the B chromosome of P. poecilochroa. Our cytogenetic data highlight both similarities and differences when compared to other congeneric species, expanding the chromosomal data for both genera.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF STINGLESS BEE (Heterotrigona itama) HONEY COLLECTED FROM Calliandra calothyrsus PLANTATION IN EAST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

Stingless bee honey is one of the most valuable insect products. The increasing popularity of stingless bee honey can be attributed to its composition, which has been linked to medicinal properties. Beekeeping with stingless bees is well-known in Indonesia, with Heterotrigona itama is the most popular stingless bee species cultivated in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Stingless bees utilize various plant species as sustenance sources. Among those plants, Calliandra calothyrsus is popular planting in Indonesian bee plantations. This study analyzed the antioxidant (DPPH assay), phytochemical (qualitative method), water, and sugar content of H. itama stingless bee honey collected from a C. calothyrsus plantation. The results show that the water and sugar contents of the honey in this study were higher than in other research. Meanwhile, antioxidant capacity was also higher than in other studies. The phytochemical contents detected from honey in this study were carotenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, and triterpenoids. Even though the properties of stingless bee honey can differ based on vegetation and geographical origin, H. itama stingless bee honey collected from C. calothyrsus plantation in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, showed potential antioxidant activity and phytochemical content, which is advantageous to human health.

A focus on the Chinese stingless bee honey (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini): Exploring physicochemical parameters for establishing quality standards

Stingless bee honey (SBH) is the most important product from stingless bee colonies with great economic value and health benefits. Nevertheless, there is little information on the physiochemical parameters of Chinese SBH, which also limits its utilization and quality control. In the period 2019–2023, we collected 89 Chinese SBH samples produced by five stingless bee species from four provinces in China. We performed comprehensive assessments of various SBH physicochemical indicators. These parameters include moisture, trehalulose, sucrose, fructose, glucose, total soluble solids, Baumé, ash, pH, electrical conductivity, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and free acidity. Our data revealed that the physicochemical parameters of Chinese SBH are consistent with earlier reported results from other countries. Notably, the Chinese SBH exhibited a relatively low level of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (0–9.64 mg/kg), sucrose (0–0.43 g/100 g), and no diastase activity was detected. Chinese SBH was rich in trehalulose (4.26–37.65 g/100 g). After comparing these indexes with published data and with Australian/Malaysian samples, we proposed a new food standard for regulations of Chinese SBHs. These findings provide crucial insights into the Chinese SBH and contribute significantly to developing quality control and global standards for SBH.

External morphometric and microscopic analysis of the reproductive system in in- vitro reared stingless bee queens, Heterotrigona itama, and their mating frequency.

Stingless bees, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, are a tribe of eusocial bees that are crucial pollinators for economic crops and native plants and, produce honey and pollen. However, colony expansion is limited by a shortage of queens for new colonies. Therefore, mass artificial rearing of virgin queens could address this in commercially managed meliponiculture. Furthermore, the in vitro rearing of queen stingless bees can improve meliponiculture management and conservation efforts. Herein, we explored the efficacy of in vitro queen rearing for Heterotrigona itama, assessing the queen's body size, reproductive organ size (ovary and spermatheca), acceptance rate into new, small colonies, and mating frequency. H. itama larvae developed into queens when fed with 120 μL-150 μL of larval food, resulting in in vitro queens having body sizes similar to those of naturally produced queens. Microscopic analysis revealed well-developed ovaries and spermathecae in in vitro-reared queens, unlike the smaller ovaries and the absence of spermathecae in the naturally produced workers. Acceptance of in vitro-reared queens was independent of worker age, and mating frequency was low but not significantly different from naturally produced queens. These findings could enhance stingless beekeeping practices and conservation efforts for the native stingless bee species.

Food niche overlap between two stingless bee species along a spatio-temporal gradient: implications for keeping and conservation

Food niche overlap between two stingless bee species along a spatio-temporal gradient: implications for keeping and conservation

Pollen composition and physicochemical properties of honey produced by three stingless bees species from a mesotropical subhumid region in Bolivia

Pollen composition and physicochemical properties of honey produced by three stingless bees species from a mesotropical subhumid region in Bolivia

Taxonomic study on selected species of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia

Abstract. Trianto M, Arisuryanti T, Purwanto H, Ubaidillah R. 2024. Taxonomic study on selected species of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2290-2306. Stingless bees are strong candidates as alternative crop pollinators. They are found throughout the tropics, with the exception of the Pacific islands. There are three tropical regions in the world, namely the tropical Americas (Neotropic), Sub-Saharan Africa (Afrotropic), and Indoaustralian (Austroasiatic) region. In this research, we explored the morphological and morphometric characteristics of stingless bees in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The genera and species identification of stingless bees were based on morphological characters and coloration, such as the structure and color of the antenna, head, thorax, wing, leg and abdomen. Morphological and morphometric identification of 10 species of stingless bees consisting of five genera, namely the genera Heterotrigona, Homotrigona, Lepidotrigona, Tetragonula, and Wallacetrigona. The genus Tetragonula consists of six small species (<4 mm), namely T. biroi, T. clypearis, T. fuscobalteata, T. laeviceps, T. pagdeni, and T. sapiens. The genera Heterotrigona, Homotrigona, Lepidotrigona, and Wallacetrigona are a group of large stingless bees (>4 mm), each consisting of one species, namely H. itama, H. canifrons, L. terminata, and W. incisa. H. itama and H. canifrons are new records on Sulawesi Island. These species are found in Lore Lindu National Park (TNLL). Until 2023, these species were only found in Java, Kalimantan and Sumatra. This research can be used as a guide in the identification and validation of stingless bee species on Sulawesi Island.

The nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies of Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae: Meliponini), a tiny yet remarkable pollinator in the Neotropics

BackgroundThe field of bee genomics has considerably advanced in recent years, however, the most diverse group of honey producers on the planet, the stingless bees, are still largely neglected. In fact, only eleven of the ~ 600 described stingless bee species have been sequenced, and only three using a long-read (LR) sequencing technology. Here, we sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the most common, widespread and broadly reared stingless bee in Brazil and other neotropical countries—Tetragonisca angustula (popularly known in Brazil as jataí).ResultsA total of 48.01 Gb of DNA data were generated, including 2.31 Gb of Pacific Bioscience HiFi reads and 45.70 Gb of Illumina short reads (SRs). Our preferred assembly comprised 683 contigs encompassing 284.49 Mb, 62.84 Mb of which (22.09%) corresponded to 445,793 repetitive elements. N50, L50 and complete BUSCOs reached 1.02 Mb, 91 contigs and 97.1%, respectively. We predicted that the genome of T. angustula comprises 17,459 protein-coding genes and 4,108 non-coding RNAs. The mitogenome consisted of 17,410 bp, and all 37 genes were found to be on the positive strand, an unusual feature among bees. A phylogenomic analysis of 26 hymenopteran species revealed that six odorant receptor orthogroups of T. angustula were found to be experiencing rapid evolution, four of them undergoing significant contractions.ConclusionsHere, we provided the first nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies for the ecologically and economically important T. angustula, the fourth stingless bee species to be sequenced with LR technology thus far. We demonstrated that even relatively small amounts of LR data in combination with sufficient SR data can yield high-quality genome assemblies for bees.

From pollen to putrid: Comparative metagenomics reveals how microbiomes support dietary specialization in vulture bees.

For most animals, the microbiome is key for nutrition and pathogen defence, and is often shaped by diet. Corbiculate bees, including honey bees, bumble bees, and stingless bees, share a core microbiome that has been shaped, at least in part, by the challenges associated with pollen digestion. However, three species of stingless bees deviate from the general rule of bees obtaining their protein exclusively from pollen (obligate pollinivores) and instead consume carrion as their sole protein source (obligate necrophages) or consume both pollen and carrion (facultative necrophages). These three life histories can provide missing insights into microbiome evolution associated with extreme dietary transitions. Here, we investigate, via shotgun metagenomics, the functionality of the microbiome across three bee diet types: obligate pollinivory, obligate necrophagy, and facultative necrophagy. We find distinct differences in microbiome composition and gene functional profiles between the diet types. Obligate necrophages and pollinivores have more specialized microbes, whereas facultative necrophages have a diversity of environmental microbes associated with several dietary niches. Our study suggests that necrophagous bee microbiomes may have evolved to overcome cellular stress and microbial competition associated with carrion. We hypothesize that the microbiome evolved social phenotypes, such as biofilms, that protect the bees from opportunistic pathogens present on carcasses, allowing them to overcome novel nutritional challenges. Whether specific microbes enabled diet shifts or diet shifts occurred first and microbial evolution followed requires further research to disentangle. Nonetheless, we find that necrophagous microbiomes, vertebrate and invertebrate alike, have functional commonalities regardless of their taxonomy.

Contact exposure of honey bees and social stingless bees to fungicide sprayed on cotton and soybean in a controlled field simulation system

AbstractBees can be exposed to pesticides when visiting crops or plants in adjacent areas affected by spray drift. Among pesticide categories, fungicides tend to be considered relatively safe, though they also can negatively affect pollinators. Most evidence of damage by fungicides to bees comes from laboratory tests; there is little information concerning contamination levels in the field. We examined exposure of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and a common Brazilian native species of social stingless bees (Scaptotrigona postica Latreille; Hymenoptera: Apidae), which is about a third the size of a honey bee, to a commercial fungicide (Fox Xpro), with three active ingredients (trifloxystrobin, bixafen, and prothioconazole), applied to crops they often visit according to label directions. A spraying apparatus mounted on tracks in a laboratory spray room was used to simulate field conditions. Soybean and cotton plants grown in pots were transferred to the spray room when the plants were in flower. Anaesthetized bees were attached with insect pins at the top and middle of the plants, on leaves and flowers. The fungicide was applied using fine or coarse droplets. The amounts of the individual active ingredients absorbed by bees were then quantified. Concentrations of trifloxystrobin were highest in both honey bees and stingless bees, followed by bixafen, and then prothioconazole, which was detected in the bees at much lower levels. Overall, bees at the top of the plants and those sprayed with fine droplets absorbed more pesticide. As a function of body mass, the stingless bees were more heavily contaminated than the larger honey bees. Tests using spraying systems that simulate field conditions can better estimate the actual doses that contaminate bees to help determine the impact of fungicides and other pesticides applied to crops.

Hyperspectral lidar for monitoring high-resolution activity patterns of African stingless bee species

BackgroundStingless bees are vital pollinators and honey producers in the tropics. Research on stingless bees is generally underrepresented compared to the western honeybees, and while stingless bee studies from some regions are reported, there is a particular lack of reports on the species endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. Since conventional entomological methods such as mark-recapture and radar harmonic tags suffer from limited observation counts and amount to a significant payload, fluorescent powder tagging offers a promising alternative to understanding their behavior. We deploy a hyperspectral fluorescence lidar monitors a 25-mm-wide transect in front of the hives.ResultsDuring a 1 day study at the International Stingless Bee Center, near Kakum National Park, Ghana, 17,862 insects were observed with the lidar, of which 7520 were tagged with fluorescent dyes. Approximately half of the bees from the selected hives were successfully tagged, with an estimated misclassification of 1%. According to our limited data, the observed species, Meliponula bocandei and the Dactylurina staudingeri exhibited different activity patterns. D. staudingeri displayed a half-hour longer active day, with clear crepuscular activity peaks. In contrast, M. bocandei activity was diurnal, with less pronounced crepuscular peaks.ConclusionsWe demonstrate how hyperspectral fluorescence lidar can monitor powder-tagged insects throughout the day. The monitored species revealed distinct activity patterns over the day. Our findings highlight the potential of this technology as a valuable tool for understanding insect behavior and environmental preferences of species, in situ, which could potentially give clues of response to climate changes of these critical species.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle using pollen extract from Tetragonisca angustula a stingless bee.

This study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a methanolic extract of fermented pollen from Tetragonisca angustula, a species of stingless bees. The AgNPs exhibit spherical morphology, low charge values, and suspension stability, with their unique composition attributed to elements from the pollen extract. Antioxidant assays show comparable activity between the pollen extract and AgNPs, emphasizing the retention of antioxidant effects. The synthesized AgNPs demonstrate antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, highlighting their potential in combating bacterial resistance. The AgNPs exhibit no toxic effects on Drosophila melanogaster and even enhance the hatching rate of eggs. The study underscores the innovative use of stingless bee pollen extract in green synthesis, offering insights into the varied applications of AgNPs in biomedicine.

Three Species of Stingless Bee (Meliponini) Honey from Sudan: A Contribution to the Nest Components, Proximate Composition, and Antimicrobial Properties

There is historical traditional use of stingless bee honey (SBH). However, no information concerning composition and antimicrobial properties of SBHs from Sudan was reported. Thus, the paper was aimed to focus on the components of the nests and honey characteristics of three species of stingless bee. Proximate analysis showed similar composition, except protein and ash were significantly (p > 0.01) different. Meliplebeia beccarii honey contained more protein 5.31% and slightly more ash 1.01% than the other species. Antibacterial activity was determined by cup-plate agar diffusion; Hypotrigona squamuligera and M. beccarii were more active against Staphylococcus aureus. None of the Studied SBHs showed activity against Escherichia coli, Apergillus niger, and Candida albicans. Anti-parasite activity as determined by sub-culture method showed that “almost all” SBHs have similar activities against trophozoites of Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica with statistically significant differences when compared to the untreated control. The amount of honey produced by M. beccarii varied from 100 to 150 ml per nest while honey produced by Hypotrigona ruspolii and H. squamuligera varied from 500 to 1000 ml/colony/year. Results also showed different nest architecture and components (entrance, brood areas, honey pots, and pollen pots) as indication for existence of many taxa of Meliponini in Sudan.

Antioxidant Activity, Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Stingless Bee Honey from Australia.

This study reports on the physicochemical and sensory attributes, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of 36 honey samples produced by two different stingless bee species (Tetragonula carbonaria and Tetragonula hockingsi) from Australia. The findings reveal moisture content across all samples ranges from 24.9% to 30.8% (w/w), electrical conductivity from 1.02 to 2.15 mS/cm, pH levels between 3.57 and 6.54, soluble solids from 69.2 to 75.1 °Brix, trehalulose concentrations from 6.20 to 38.2 g/100 g, fructose levels from 7.79 to 33.4 g/100 g, and glucose content from 3.36 to 26.8 g/100 g. Sucrose was undetectable in all investigated samples. In a sensory analysis involving 30 participants, Australian stingless bee honey was perceived as having a more pronounced sourness compared with New Zealand Manuka honey. The study reveals considerable variability in the composition of Australian stingless bee honey, influenced by factors such as floral availability, geographical origin, and time of harvest. It also demonstrates the presence of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in stingless bee honey, underlining their potential as a natural source of antioxidants. All investigated samples contain trehalulose, which supports the findings of other recent studies that propose this unusual disaccharide as a marker compound of stingless bee honey.

The Worker Flow at the Hive Entrance Predicts When Nest Cleaning is Intensified in Stingless Bees

Waste produced by living organisms is commonly disposed of as a prophylactic measure to avoid the spread of diseases and parasite infestation. For social insects, a proportion of workers is allocated to dispose the waste material outside the colony’s nest. However, most nests of social insects have a single entrance, where a high flow of individuals may create congestion, potentially compromising normal foraging activities and colony growth/health. Here, we investigated how two species of stingless bees (Tetragonisca fiebrigi and Plebeia droryana) deal with waste disposal and regular foraging activities, and the impacts of these activities on traffic flow at nest entrances. First, we compared the average traffic of bees assigned to waste removal activities. Following this, we investigated probabilities for waste removal as bee traffic increases. Then, we estimated a cutoff value to predict the likelihood that waste removal activities will be intensified over foraging trips. We found that, on average, the number of bees performing waste removal activities was lower than those undertaking foraging trips for both species. In addition, we observed that as overall bee traffic increases, the number of workers engaged in waste removal reduces or even ceases. Our models indicate that bee traffic of approximately 15 individuals/time is a cutoff score, below which, colonies invest in waste removal and above which, foraging trips are increased. It suggests that both species use the entrances of their colonies in an optimized way by adjusting which tasks should be intensified as the traffic of individuals increases.

Morphology and morphometric of Tetragonula biroi bees at three different altitudes in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract. Prastiyo A, Nuraeni S, Budiaman. 2024. Morphology and morphometric of Tetragonula biroi bees at three different altitudes in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 1993-2002. Tetragonula biroi Friese 1898 is a stingless bee species that plays an essential role in pollination and environmental conservation. This research is important because bees play a crucial role as pollinators for the sustainability of plants, and morphometric measurements can reveal patterns of adaptation and the potential production of products generated by these bees. This research aims to analyze the morphological and morphometric variations of T. biroi at three different altitudes in South Sulawesi. The study was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024, with sampling points in lowland (158 meters above sea level or masl), midland (417 masl), and highland (709 masl), using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) test using XLSTAT and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test using program SPSS. Observations of T. biroi morphology at the three locations were generally similar, with a black body color tinged with brown and characteristic hamuli numbering five. The morphometric analysis involved measuring body dimensions of T. biroi across 35 characters/sections of the external body, and the one-way ANOVA test results showed that the dominant characters significantly influencing were body length (BL) and length of fore wing, including tegula (WL1). T. biroi bees at lowlands tend to have smaller bodies, measuring 3.73±0.09 mm, while those at higher altitudes tend to have larger bodies, measuring 4.09±0.14 mm. This indicates adaptation to environmental conditions such as temperature (26.75C), humidity (81%), and dominant vegetation (Cocos nucifera L.) in lowland, which influence bee adaptation, as well as in midland and highland areas. This research provides a better understanding of morphological and morphometric variations in T. biroi bees at various altitudes in South Sulawesi. The morphology and morphometrics description of bees is crucial in determining the growth and production of a species.

Stingless bee foragers experience more thermally stressful microclimates and have wider thermal tolerance breadths than other worker subcastes

IntroductionThe current state of anthropogenic climate change is particularly concerning for tropical insects, species predicted to be the most negatively affected. Researching climatic tolerance in social insects is challenging because adaptations exist at both individual and societal levels. Division of labor research helps to bridge the gap between our understanding of these adaptations at different scales, which is important because social insects comprise a tremendous portion of global animal biomass, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Considering how individual physiologies construct group-level adaptations can improve climate change impact assessments for social species. Tetragonisca angustula is a neotropical stingless bee species that exhibits high worker subcaste specialization with a morphologically distinct soldier caste.MethodsWe used this species to investigate 1) whether age- and size-differentiated subcastes differ in thermal tolerance, 2) which worker subcaste operates closest to their thermal limits, and 3) the extent to which this species selects active foraging times to offset thermal stress. We measured the thermal tolerance (CTmax and CTmin) of small-bodied foragers and two soldier subcastes (hovering guards and standing guards) in T. angustula.Results and discussionDespite body size differences between foragers and guards, no differences in the upper or lower thermal limits were observed. However, the average thermal tolerance breadth of foragers was significantly larger than that of guards, and foraging sites were more thermally variable than nest sites, supporting the Climatic Variability Hypothesis at a microclimate scale and in the context of division of labor. Warming tolerance was significantly lower among small-bodied foragers compared to hovering and standing guards. The magnitude of warming tolerances indicated low risk of imminent climate change impacts in this environment but suggests that increasing temperatures and heatwave prevalence may cause foragers to meet their upper thermal limits before other subcastes. Foraging occurred at a narrower range of temperatures than would challenge critical temperatures, with higher morning activity. Directionally increasing temperatures will likely confine these preferred foraging temperatures to a narrower time window. Further study is needed to elucidate how foragers may shift times of activity in response to anthropogenic warming, but changing climates may impact plant pollination rates in natural and agricultural systems.

Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of stingless bee (Meliponula spp.) honey from the northern highlands of Tanzania, in comparison with Apis mellifera honey

Meliponiculture is an emerging practice in Africa where beekeeping is dominated with the management of the honey bees, Apis mellifera. Nevertheless, communities in the northern highlands of Tanzania have a long history of managing stingless bees for their honey which has putative medicinal value. The current study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of honey samples from two stingless bee species, namely Meliponula (Axestotrigona) ferruginea and Meliponula (Axestotrigona) togoensis, in comparison with A. mellifera honey. Physicochemical properties were also determined to assess the quality of the studied honey samples. The honey samples conformed with the regional quality standards for moisture content, free acidity and HMF for both stingless bee and A. mellifera honey. Stingless bee honey exhibited stronger antioxidant potency, displaying higher mean values of total flavonoid (54.12 – 56.40 mg QE/100 g) and phenolic compounds (81.92 – 87.56 mg GAE/100 g), DPPH radical scavenging activity (65.81 – 68.40%) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (109.78 – 126.64 µmol Fe (II)/100 g) compared to A. mellifera honey (33.17 mg QE/100 g, 61.13 mg GAE/100 g, 41.44%, 65.00 µmol Fe (II)/100 g, respectively). Additionally, stingless bee honey demonstrated higher inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.16 – 5% v/v, compared to 2.5 – 20% v/v for A. mellifera honey. These findings highlight the distinct bioactive properties of stingless bee honey and validate its applications in traditional therapy. More studies are encouraged to elucidate specific bioactive ingredients in stingless bee honey to further substantiate its medicinal potency.

Profile of stingless bee honey and microbiota produced in West Sumatra, Indonesia, by several species (Apidae, Meliponinae)

Background and Aim: Stingless bees are generally found in tropical countries, including Indonesia. In West Sumatra, stingless bees are known as Galo-galo, consist of several species with different characteristics; however, the properties of honey produced by stingless bees have not yet been explored. This study aimed to determine the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities as well as the microbiota profile of stingless bee honey from the bee species Heterotrigona itama, Geniotrigona thoracica, Tetrigona melanoleuca, and Tetrigona binghami that are intensively developed in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: Honey produced by the stingless bee species H. itama, G. thoracica, T. melanoleuca, and T. binghami originating in West Sumatra was examined in the present study. The physicochemical properties (Association of Official Analytical Chemists), antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl technique), total phenols (Folin- Ciocalteu method), antimicrobial activity (Agar-Well diffusion test), total lactic acid bacteria, and microbiota diversity were measured in stingless bee honey samples. Results: Stingless bee species significantly affected the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, antimicrobial activity, and total lactic acid bacteria (p = 0.05), except for the crude fiber content. The carbohydrate profiles of honey produced by H. itama and T. binghami were dominated by monosaccharides, whereas those of honey from T. melanoleuca and G. thoracica were dominated by disaccharides. In terms of antioxidant activity (half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] value), there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between honey from H. itama, T. melanoleuca, and T. binghami, but there were significant differences (p > 0.05) between honey from G. thoracica. The honey of G. thoracica and T. melanoleuca had the highest total phenolic content (65.65 ± 14.00 and 69.78 ± 8.06, respectively). In addition, honey from the four stingless bee species showed antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. From the principal co-ordinate analysis (PCoA) results, it can be concluded that the microbiota profiles of the four stingless bee honey samples differed. Conclusion: The results showed that honey from H. itama, G. thoracica, T. melanoleuca, and T. binghami has different physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and microbiota diversity. By knowing the content of this stingless bee honey, the results of this study can be used as information that this stingless bee honey has the potential as a functional food that is beneficial for health. Keywords: antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, microbiota, physicochemical, stingless bee.