A Preliminary Study of Chemical Profiles of Honey, Cerumen, and Propolis of the African Stingless Bee Meliponula ferruginea

Recently, the honey and propolis of stingless bees have been attracting growing attention because of their health-promoting properties. However, studies on these products of African Meliponini are still very scarce. In this preliminary study, we analyzed the chemical composition of honey, two cerumen, and two resin deposits (propolis) samples of Meliponula ferruginea from Tanzania. The honey of M. ferruginea was profiled by NMR and indicated different long-term stability from Apis mellifera European (Bulgarian) honey. It differed significantly in sugar and organic acids content and had a very high amount of the disaccharide trehalulose, known for its bioactivities. We suggested trehalulose to be a potential marker for African stingless bee honey analogously to the recent proposal for Meliponini honey from Asia, South America, and Australia and demonstrated its easy discrimination by 13C NMR. Propolis and cerumen were studied by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectometry). The samples contained mainly terpenoids (di-and triterpenes) but demonstrated qualitative and quantitative differences. This fact was an indication that possibly M. ferruginea has no strict preferences for resins used to construct and protect their nests. The antimicrobial and anti-quorum sensing properties of the two materials were also tested. These first results demonstrated that the honey, cerumen, and propolis of African stingless bees were rich in biologically active substances and deserved further research.

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Resin Use by Stingless Bees: A Review

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12080719 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 719

Author(s):

Maggie Shanahan ◽

Marla Spivak

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Microbial Communities ◽

Stingless Bees ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

Future Research ◽

Tropical Ecosystems ◽

Social Bees ◽

Bee Colony ◽

Chemical Profiles ◽

Land Use Practices

Stingless bees (Meliponini) are highly social bees that are native to tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems. Resin use is vital to many aspects of stingless bee colony function. Stingless bees use resin to build essential nest structures, repel predators, and kill would-be invaders. Furthermore, resin-derived compounds have been found to enrich the cuticular chemical profiles of many stingless bee species, and resin may play an important role in shaping the microbial communities associated with stingless bees and their nests. Despite its importance for colony function, previous reviews of resin use by stingless bees are lacking. This topic grows increasingly urgent as changes in beekeeping and land use practices occur, potentially diminishing stingless bees’ ability to incorporate resin into the nest environment. In this article, we review existing literature on resin use by stingless bees and discuss potential areas of future research.

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Preliminary Study on Drying of Stingless Bee Pot Pollen Using Novel Fluidized Bed Dryer with Swirling Distributor

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201822504007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 225 ◽

pp. 04007 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Luqman Abdul Halim ◽

Firdaus Basrawi ◽

Jia Zheng Chong ◽

Ahmed Nurye Oumer ◽

Ahmmad Shukrie Md Yudin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Moisture Content ◽

Fluidized Bed ◽

Temperature Rise ◽

Stingless Bees ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

High Moisture Content ◽

High Moisture ◽

Fluidized Bed Dryer ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Impact

High moisture content in raw pot pollen increases the activity of microorganisms, thus promotes fermentation and causes rapid deterioration. Hence, the objective of this study is to dry stingless bees pot pollen by a novel fluidized bed dryer. The experimental analysis was conducted based on flowrate, airflow temperature, power consumption and sample mass. It was found that the mass of pot pollen can be reduced by 6.86 % in 30 minutes of drying operation. The temperature rise is also minimal up to average of 31.5°C. This significantly reduced the impact of drying not only to the nutrients, but also the flavour and aroma. Moreover, the total energy consumed is 212.57 Wh, which is considered low. Hence, this preliminary study showed the feasibility of drying pot pollen using a novel fluidized bed dryer.

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Tea as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds in the Human Diet

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26051487 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 1487

Author(s):

Joanna Klepacka ◽

Elżbieta Tońska ◽

Ryszard Rafałowski ◽

Marta Czarnowska-Kujawska ◽

Barbara Opara

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Daily Intake ◽

The Body ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Sodium Potassium ◽

Tea Infusions ◽

Copper Manganese ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Average Consumption

Due to the different levels of bioactive compounds in tea reported in the literature, the aim of this study was to determine whether commercially available leaf teas could be an important source of phenolics and selected minerals (copper, manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium) and if the differences in the content of these components between various types of tea are significant. It was found that both the amount of these compounds in tea and the antioxidant activity of tea infusions were largely determined by the origin of tea leaves as well as the processing method, which can modify the content of the studied components up to several hundred-fold. The group of green teas was the best source of phenolic compounds (110.73 mg/100 mL) and magnesium (1885 µg/100 mL) and was also characterised by the highest antioxidant activity (59.02%). This type of tea is a great contributor to the daily intake of the studied components. The average consumption of green tea infusions, assumed to be 3–4 cups (1 L) a day, provides the body with health-promoting polyphenol levels significantly exceeding the recommended daily dose. Moreover, drinking one litre of an unfermented tea infusion provides more than three times the recommended daily intake of manganese. Tea infusions can be a fairly adequate, but only a supplementary, source of potassium, zinc, magnesium, and copper in the diet. Moreover, it could be concluded that the antioxidant activity of all the analysed types of tea infusions results not only from the high content of phenolic compounds and manganese but is also related to the presence of magnesium and potassium.

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Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) from Mali, as a Source of Health-Promoting Compounds

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules23123104 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (12) ◽

pp. 3104 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Alessandra Braca ◽

Chiara Sinisgalli ◽

Marinella De Leo ◽

Beatrice Muscatello ◽

Pier Luigi Cioni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Phenolic Content ◽

Geographic Region ◽

Major Constituent ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Fruit Pulp ◽

Adansonia Digitata ◽

Chemical Profiles ◽

Health Promoting ◽

Promising Source

Background: Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae), also known as baobab, is a tree attracting recent interest especially due to the high nutritional value of the fruit pulp. However, few studies are reported on the secondary metabolite content, showing high variability depending on the geographic region. Methods: In this study, the chemical profiles of Malian commercial baobab fruits and leaves, focused on phenolic content, were investigated by HPLC coupled with a photodiode array (PDA)/UV and an electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometer (MS) and gas chromatography (GC)/MS. In addition, the extracts of fruit pulps obtained from three different markets (Fruits 1, 2, and 3) were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibition. Results: Baobab fruit pulps were found to be rich in procyanidins and flavonol glycosides, with tiliroside as the major constituent. The baobab leaves showed a similar profile respect to the fruits, but with more detected phenolics. All fruit pulp extracts exerted antioxidant activity (highest for Fruit 3) and higher α-glucosidase inhibition than acarbose used as standard. Conclusions: This study confirmed the variability of baobab with different origins and indicated Malian species baobab as a promising source of health-promoting substances.

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Physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile of honey samples from stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponinae) submitted to a dehumidification process

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências ◽

10.1590/s0001-37652009000100015 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 81 (1) ◽

pp. 143-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Carlos A.L. Carvalho ◽

Geni S. Sodré ◽

Antonio A.O. Fonseca ◽

Rogério M.O. Alves ◽

Bruno A. Souza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electric Conductivity ◽

Stingless Bees ◽

Reducing Sugars ◽

Physicochemical Characteristics ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

Sensory Characteristics ◽

Sensory Profile ◽

Diastatic Activity ◽

Sensory Evaluations

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a dehumidification process on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of stingless-bee honey. Melipona scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata honey samples were submitted to a dehumidification process and to physicochemical (reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, moisture, diastatic activity, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, pH, acidity, and electric conductivity) and sensory evaluations (fluidity, color, aroma, crystallization,flavor,and acceptability). The results indicated that the dehumidification process does not interfere with honey quality and acceptability.

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Agrochemical synergism imposes higher risk to Neotropical bees than to honeybees

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.160866 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 160866 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Hudson V. V. Tomé ◽

Gabryele S. Ramos ◽

Micaele F. Araújo ◽

Weyder C. Santana ◽

Gil R. Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Stingless Bees ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

Key Factors ◽

Thiophanate Methyl ◽

Africanized Honeybee ◽

Modes Of Action ◽

Population Numbers

Bees are key pollinators whose population numbers are declining, in part, owing to the effects of different stressors such as insecticides and fungicides. We have analysed the susceptibility of the Africanized honeybee, Apis mellifera , and the stingless bee, Partamona helleri, to commercial formulations of the insecticides deltamethrin and imidacloprid. The toxicity of fungicides based on thiophanate-methyl and chlorothalonil were investigated individually and in combination, and with the insecticides. Results showed that stingless bees were more susceptible to insecticides than honeybees. The commercial fungicides thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil caused low mortality, regardless of concentration; however, their combination was as toxic as imidacloprid to both species, and over 400-fold more toxic than deltamethrin for A. mellifera . There were highly synergistic effects on mortality caused by interactions in the mixture of imidacloprid and the fungicides thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil and the combined fungicide formulation in A. mellifera, and also to a lesser extent in P. helleri . By contrast, mixtures of the deltamethrin and the combined fungicide formulation induced high synergy in P. helleri , but had little effect on the mortality of A. mellifera . Differences in physiology and modes of action of agrochemicals are discussed as key factors underlying the differences in susceptibility to agrochemicals.

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Diversity and honey properties of stingless bees from meliponiculture in East and North Kalimantan, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d211021 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

Author(s):

SYAFRIZAL ◽

RICO RAMADHAN ◽

IRAWAN WIJAYA KUSUMA ◽

SAAT EGRA ◽

KUNIYOSHI SHIMIZU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stingless Bees ◽

Radical Scavenging Activity ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

Phytochemical Screening ◽

Radical Scavengers ◽

Tropical Rain Forests ◽

Dpph Assay ◽

Research Areas ◽

Light Yellow

Abstract. Syafrizal, Ramadhan R, Kusuma IW, Egra S, Shimizu K, Kanzaki M, Arung ET. 2020. Diversity and honey properties of stingless bees from meliponiculture in East and North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4623-4630. Kalimantan Island in Indonesia is covered by tropical rain forests that are rich in biodiversity. Species, include a stingless bee (Trigona spp.). Recently, stingless bee beekeeping (Meliponiculture) in this region has become popular because the honey has a unique taste, a mix of sweet, sour, and bitter which is highly valued. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity of stingless bee species, the number of colonies, type of hive, and honey properties such as taste, acidity, color, phytochemicals, and radical scavenging activity or antioxidant in meliponiculture in selected areas of Eastern and Northern Kalimantan, Indonesia. The area studied included Samarinda, Balikpapan, Penajam, Bontang, Sangatta, and Tarakan. The study conducted by visiting the farmers, collecting the stingless bees species and bee products (honey, propolis, and bee pollen), pH, color and taste determination, phytochemical screening, and DPPH assay. We found 12 species, with Heterotrigona itama and Tetragonula laeviceps being the main ones cultivated by people in all research areas, except Balikpapan. We counted 111 colonies of T. laeviceps and 99 of H. itama in the meliponiculture. There were three types of hive used by farmers in meliponiculture. Most of the honey tasted sweet and sour with acidity or pH ranging from 3-4, and color from dark brown to light yellow. The phytochemicals contained tannin, alkaloid, flavonoid, triterpenoid, carotenoid, coumarin, saponin, and carbohydrate. The Tetragonula sarawakensis honey was the most potent in term radical scavengers. Our findings showed that stingless bee honey contains antioxidants with phytochemicals that are very useful for human health.

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Emulation of Radius-to-Fix legs in Departure Routes via Fly-By Turns

INCAS BULLETIN ◽

10.13111/2066-8201.2019.11.4.9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 93-106

Author(s):

Carlos GONZAGA-LOPEZ ◽

Florian Michael BUCHMANN ◽

Henrik EKSTRAND ◽

Andreas LINNÉR ◽

Philipp Daniel SCHAAD

Keyword(s):

High Frequency ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Technical Note ◽

Optimal Management ◽

Traffic Flows ◽

Bank Angle ◽

Constant Radius ◽

First Results ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Aircraft Type

The results of a preliminary study on the emulation of radius-to-fix legs in turning departures by means of standard track-to-fix legs are presented in this technical note. While radius-to-fix equipage rates keep gradually increasing over time, a traffic mix containing aircraft with and without this navigation capability can impede an optimal management of the traffic flows whenever precise and repeatable curved flight paths are required. After test-flying various sequences of track-to-fix segments to emulate a reference constant-radius arc in a typical departure environment, the deviations to the desired flight path and the flyability aspects were assessed. The first results for a given scenario and aircraft type show an adequate path conformance for a navigation specification RNAV/RNP 1 within a certain range of aircraft performances and weather conditions. However, the reduced predictability of the roll steering when transitioning between track-to-fix segments and the high frequency in the oscillations of the bank angle may pose a problem to flight crews and passengers, respectively.

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A key to the genera and subgenera of stingless bees in Indonesia (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

TREUBIA ◽

10.14203/treubia.v45i0.3687 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 65-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michael S. Engel ◽

Sih Kahono ◽

Djunijanti Peggie

Keyword(s):

Stingless Bees ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

Social Bees

Indonesia harbors the greatest diversity of social bees in all of Asia, particularly of the stingless bees (Apidae: Apinae: Meliponini). Presently, 46 species of stingless bees are known across Indonesia although records are not comprehensive and additional diversity is likely present across the region. All of the known Asiatic genera of Meliponini occur in Indonesia, making this region a critical center of modern stingless bee biodiversity in Asia. Presented here is an illustrated key to the genera and subgenera of Indonesian stingless bees, as an aid to the general identification, study, and conservation of these critical pollinators.

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Keanekaragaman Musuh Alami Koloni Lepidotrigona terminata Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae)

Jurnal Sumberdaya Hayati ◽

10.29244/jsdh.6.2.33-39 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 33-39

Author(s):

Anggun Wicaksono ◽

Tri Atmowidi ◽

Windra Priawandiputra

Keyword(s):

Natural Enemies ◽

Stingless Bees ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

West Java ◽

Parasteatoda Tepidariorum ◽

Paratrechina Longicornis ◽

Hemidactylus Frenatus ◽

Hemidactylus Garnotii

The research about types of natural enemies of stinless bees Lepidotrigona terminata had been conducted in West Java. All natural enemis were identified morphologically and their habitat. There were 687 individuals of 14 species of natural enemies obtained in this research, i.e., Pseudeuophrys sp., Heliophanus sp., Argiope versicolor, Plexippus paykuli, Marpissa sp., Parasteatoda tepidariorum, Tegenaria sp., Nasutitermes javanicus, Paratrechina sp., Polyrhachis sp., Paratrechina longicornis, Rhynchium haemorrhoidale, Hemidactylus frenatus and Hemidactylus garnotii. Based on observation, spider, ants, and lizard were the predators of stingless bee. The results are expected as data and knowledge in the conservation and cultivation of stingless bees.

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