Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of honey samples of Apis mellifera and different species of Meliponinae subfamily from the Brazilian eastern Amazon region

Abstract In the present study, we evaluated the physicochemical characteristics (color, humidity, soluble solids, free acidity, pH, ash content, carbohydrate content, and 5-HMF) and antioxidant activity (Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and DPPH free radical scavenging) of honey samples produced by different species of Meliponinae subfamily (n = 16) and A. mellifera (n = 16) from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon region. Considering global averages, the stingless-bee honey had high acidity (93.45 mEq kg-1), high humidity (27.43%), low content of reducing sugars (55.65%), and darker colors (Pfund scale – 162.17 mm), when compared with A. mellifera honey (62.96 mEq kg-1, 19.35%, 65.70% and 68.43 mm for the respective parameters). Furthermore, more than 50% of samples of stingless-bee honey had values of 5-HMF above that proposed by Codex Alimentarius (max. 80 mg kg-1). The two types of honey investigated showed similar results for total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The principal component analysis (PCA) of the physicochemical characteristics of the honey samples, showed that the A. mellifera samples formed a differentiated group, while the multi-species Meliponinae samples were more scattered along the PCA axes. The distinctive characteristics of stingless-bee honey compared to A. mellifera honey produced in the same region, reinforces the need for specific regulations for honey produced by stingless-bees.