The physicochemical properties and nutritional value of Stingless bee honey at Gelam Forest in Telaga Papan, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Honey’s compound is differ depending on the types and origin of bees’ food; which are flower nectar and plant honeydew. These differences then influenced the quality and nutritional value of honey as a superfood. This research accesses the physicochemical properties and nutritional value of stingless bee honey at Gelam forest. Honey of Heterotrigona itama was collected at Telaga Papan in Terengganu, Malaysia. The location of hives is surrounded and dominant by Gelam trees. The physicochemical analysis, antioxidant properties, total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, and minerals content of stingless bee honey were investigated. The physicochemical parameters in terms of moisture, pH, and Brix were measured. The result obtained shows that the Gelam honey produced by H. itama has a moisture content of 27.28%, the pH is 3.30, and the total soluble solid or Brix value is 75.88. Meanwhile, for total phenolic and total flavonoid content, both recorded a quite higher value which was 10.68 mg GAE/g and 6.64mg CE/g respectively. In terms of antioxidants, Gelam honey shows a promising 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) inhibition. The four major minerals as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium recorded values are 2036.04mg/L, 101.31mg/L, 41.51mg/L, 7.88mg/L respectively. In general, Gelam honey has a good quality and nutritive as similar to other stingless bee honey produced from another botanical origin.