International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

ISSN 2169-303X

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 5 (4), pp. 234-243, April, 2016.  © International Scholars Journals

Review

Relationships between polyphenols and antioxidant activity of honey produced by Apis mellifera and stingless bees (Meliponini).

Portia Parker1*, Rupert Cave Byrne2,3 and Barry Hemsworth3

1Department of Clinical Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmacy and Bioanalysis, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela.

2Food Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Bioanalysis, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida 5101, Venezuela. 3Cancer Research Group, Discipline of Biomedical Science, Cumberland Campus C42, The University of Sydney, 75 East Street, Lidcombe NSW 1825, Australia.

E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 18 March, 2016

Abstract

Honey is a matrix of vegetal origin processed by diverse types of bees (Apidae; Hymenoptera). Secondary metabolites of plant origin present in honey are one factor contributing to its antioxidant activity. Antioxidant remedies - food, treatments (a means to prevent, retard progress or revert back to health) - have been found for some diseases caused by oxidative stress. Spectrophotometric methods to measure flavonoid and polyphenol contents are the classic approach. Honey is a polyphenol-rich food and medicine, with a charactersitic flavonoid profile . This review study shows relationships between polyphenols and antioxidant activity of honey produced by Apis mellifera and stingless bees (Meliponini).

Key words: Antioxidant activity, Apis mellifera, flavonoids, honey, Meliponini, polyphenols