04 January 2024 | Ankush S. Gadge, Dhananjay V. Shirsat, Parakkattu S. Soumia, Chandrashekhar L. Pote, M. Pushpalatha, Trupti Rajesh Pandit, Ram Dutta, Satish Kumar, S. V. Ramesh, Vijay Mahajan and Vadivelu Karuppaiah
This review summarizes the physicochemical, biological, and therapeutic properties of stingless bee honey (SBH), highlighting its unique characteristics and potential health benefits. SBH, also known as pot honey, differs from Apis honey in terms of flavor, chemical composition, biological traits, and sourness. It is produced by stingless bees, which are found in various regions, and is stored in honey pots rather than honeycombs. SBH contains reducing sugars, water, minerals, and ash, with characteristics such as color, acidity, pH, electrical conductivity, and viscosity. It also contains biological and therapeutic constituents like flavonoids, antioxidants, antibacterial agents, wound-healing properties, antidiabetic effects, and anticancer properties, as well as the Maillard reaction product hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
The physicochemical properties of SBH are influenced by nectar sources, geographic location, climate, bee species, and handling and storage conditions. SBH has a higher moisture content and acidity compared to Apis honey, which affects its microbial activity and shelf life. The mineral content of SBH includes potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, sulfur, and chlorine, which contribute to its nutritional value. The color and viscosity of SBH vary based on factors such as the type of flowers visited by bees, the botanical origin of the nectar, and the processing methods.
SBH exhibits various biological and therapeutic properties, including anti-cancer, cardiovascular therapy, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. It also has antimicrobial and anti-diabetic properties, and is effective in wound healing, anti-allergic activity, and anti-aging. Additionally, SBH has been used to treat neurological disorders, infertility, and ocular diseases. The therapeutic benefits of SBH are attributed to its physicochemical components, particularly its phenolic and flavonoid content.
The review also discusses the quality standards for SBH, noting that current regulations do not fully account for the unique characteristics of stingless bee honey. There is a need for standardized criteria to evaluate the quality and authenticity of SBH. The review emphasizes the importance of further research to identify potential chemical markers of SBH, which will help in distinguishing its entomological, geographical, and floral origin. The review concludes that there is a need for regulations to ensure the quality, safety, and authenticity of SBH, as well as to address the challenges in its market acceptance and standardization.This review summarizes the physicochemical, biological, and therapeutic properties of stingless bee honey (SBH), highlighting its unique characteristics and potential health benefits. SBH, also known as pot honey, differs from Apis honey in terms of flavor, chemical composition, biological traits, and sourness. It is produced by stingless bees, which are found in various regions, and is stored in honey pots rather than honeycombs. SBH contains reducing sugars, water, minerals, and ash, with characteristics such as color, acidity, pH, electrical conductivity, and viscosity. It also contains biological and therapeutic constituents like flavonoids, antioxidants, antibacterial agents, wound-healing properties, antidiabetic effects, and anticancer properties, as well as the Maillard reaction product hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
The physicochemical properties of SBH are influenced by nectar sources, geographic location, climate, bee species, and handling and storage conditions. SBH has a higher moisture content and acidity compared to Apis honey, which affects its microbial activity and shelf life. The mineral content of SBH includes potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, sulfur, and chlorine, which contribute to its nutritional value. The color and viscosity of SBH vary based on factors such as the type of flowers visited by bees, the botanical origin of the nectar, and the processing methods.
SBH exhibits various biological and therapeutic properties, including anti-cancer, cardiovascular therapy, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. It also has antimicrobial and anti-diabetic properties, and is effective in wound healing, anti-allergic activity, and anti-aging. Additionally, SBH has been used to treat neurological disorders, infertility, and ocular diseases. The therapeutic benefits of SBH are attributed to its physicochemical components, particularly its phenolic and flavonoid content.
The review also discusses the quality standards for SBH, noting that current regulations do not fully account for the unique characteristics of stingless bee honey. There is a need for standardized criteria to evaluate the quality and authenticity of SBH. The review emphasizes the importance of further research to identify potential chemical markers of SBH, which will help in distinguishing its entomological, geographical, and floral origin. The review concludes that there is a need for regulations to ensure the quality, safety, and authenticity of SBH, as well as to address the challenges in its market acceptance and standardization.