title: Phenolic profile, antioxidant activity and palynological analysis of stingless bee honey from Amazonas, Northern Brazil.
abstract: In this study honey samples produced by Melipona (Michmelia) seminigra merrillae, collected in seven counties distributed in the central and southern region of Amazonas state in Brazil, were analysed for their botanical origin, content and profile of phenolic compounds, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Twenty-two pollen types were identified. The total phenolic content ranged from 17 to 66 mg GAE/g of extract; the highest contents were found in honeys produced from pollen types such as Clidemia and Myrcia. The antioxidant activity was higher in the samples that contained higher quantities of phenolic compounds. In relation to the antibacterial activity, samples CAD3, CAD4 and SAD3 presented the best results. Fourteen phenolic compounds were determined. Among them, we identified the flavonoid taxifolin, which has not previously been described in honeys from stingless bees, and we report the identification of catechol in Brazilian honey samples for the first time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Engineering, Center of Technology, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus I, 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. andreaulbra@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Isnandia Andréa Almeida
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Tania Maria Sarmento
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Celso Amorim
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Camara
authors.forename: Neide
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.forename: Marciane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magnani
authors.forename: Jaílson Santos
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: de Novais
authors.forename: Luiz Edmundo Bastos
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Soledade
authors.forename: Edeltrudes de Oliveira
authors.initials: Ede O
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Antonia Lucia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Antonio Gouveia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: de Souza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D001516:Bees; D001938:Brazil; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols
keywords: Amazonian honeys; Melipona (Michmelia) seminigra merrillae; Melissopalynology; Phenolic compounds; Stingless bees