Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of Malaysian trigona and tualang bee honey

Abstract

This research was performed to explore the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of selected Malaysian honeys namely Trigona bee honey from Kedah (TB1), Trigona bee honey from Kelantan (TB2), wild Tualang honey from Pahang (TU1) and farmed Tualang honey from Pahang (TU2). Proximate compositions were determined according to AOAC methods. Sugar contents were quantified using HPLC. Minerals were determined by using ICP-MS. Honeys were analyzed for their physical and antioxidant properties in vitro. Findings showed that TB1 had significantly the highest dietary fiber content (0.612±0.027g/100g ; p<0.05). TB2 showed significantly the higher moisture (30.586±0.109 g/100g ; p<0.05) and ash (0.766±0.010 g/100g ; p<0.05) contents. TU1 recorded the highest value protein content (1.776±0.010 g/100g ; p<0.05). TU2 had significantly the highest total carbohydrate (79.980±0.289 g/100g ; p<0.05) and gross energy (322.780±1.074 Kcal/100g ; p<0.05). Total fat content was significantly the lowest in TB2 (0.025±0.003 g/100g ; p<0.05). For sugar contents, TU1 had higher value of fructose content (33.500±3.473 g/100g ; p<0.05) compared to TB2 and TU2 while TB1 showed significantly the highest value of glucose (40.983±0.941g/100g ; p<0.05). Furthermore, TB2 possessed significantly (p<0.05) the highest values of potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt and barium with means of 5162.93±23.17 µg/g, 214.80±2.76 µg/g, 364.23±2.8 µg/g, 14.967±0.153 µg/g, 0.328±0.009 µg/g and 0.845±0.003 µg/g, respectively. TU2 recorded significantly (p<0.05) the highest values of iron, chromium, vanadium, silver and nickel with means of 30.233±0.321 µg/g, 0.079±0.012 µg/g, 0.09±0.001 µg/g, 0.599±0.074 µg/g and 0.309±0.003µg/g. Results from heavy metals showed that TB2 possessed the highest values of lead (1.967±0.058 µg/g ; p<0.05) and cadmium (0.050±0.002 µg/g ; p<0.05) while arsenic was found only in TU2 (0.003±0.001 µg/g). However, the amount of heavy metals existed is considered safe for consumption. In term of physical properties, TB1 had significantly the lowest value of pH (3.08±0.020 ; p<0.05). TB2 exhibited significantly the highest values of electrical conductivity (EC) (1.473±0.018 mS/cm ; p<0.05) and mm Pfund (672.883±13.64 ; p<0.05). TU1 recorded significantly the lowest value of water activity (aw) (0.675±0.002 ; p<0.05). TU2 possessed significantly the highest value of TSS (76.267±0.058 °Brix ; p<0.05). For antioxidant contents, TB2 showed significantly the highest values of TPC (33.711±0.590 mg GAE/100g ; p<0.05) and TFC (2.217±0.126 mg QE/100g ; p<0.05). Antioxidant activities assays showed that TB2 possessed significantly the highest values in DPPH assay (84.521±1.859 % ; p<0.05) and the highest value in FRAP assay (368.472±0.939 µM TE/100g ; p<0.05). It can be concluded that, honey have many beneficial properties with tremendous potential to be used as a nutritional supplements particularly with a preference for TB2 due to its higher mineral contents, antioxidant contents and activities