The Composition and Functional Properties of Stingless Bee Honey: A Review

Abstract

Honey produced by the stingless bee were use since ancient times in almost every continent as food or for medicinal purposes. The usage of stingless bee honey proceeds from its composition and functional properties. Stingless bee honey has been reported to have many medicinal properties such as antiseptic, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Since early 20th century, various studies on the composition and functional properties of honey have been conducted worldwide and findings were tremendous. Stingless bee honey reported to have hundreds of bioactive compound. However, the composition and functional properties of stingless bee honey is differs depending on the source of honey; either influenced by the location of hive or by the species of stingless bee itself. This review provides the information on the composition and functional properties of stingless bee honey reported worldwide. The information gathered is very important to understand and to explain about the variability of nutritional composition in honey and how it might influence the value of stingless bee honeys as medicinal food.