Contribution of stingless bee species to the chemical diversity and antioxidant capacity of honeys
Name: AMANDA BOLSONI
Publication date: 08/04/2026
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ALVARO CUNHA NETO | Examinador Interno |
| EDUARDO SIDINEI CHAVES | Examinador Externo |
| GEISAMANDA PEDRINI BRANDAO ATHAYDE | Presidente |
| RAFAEL DE QUEIROZ FERREIRA | Coorientador |
Summary: The quality of stingless bee honey (SBH) varies according to species, visited flora, and available forage. Although these factors are well recognized, the specific role of bee species in the chemical diversity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of honey remains poorly understood. Given this scenario, the present study aimed to evaluate the relationships between SBH species and the chemical classes identified in the honeys, reducing sugar (RS) content, bioactive compound content, and volatile organic compound (VOC) content, seeking to understand how these factors impact the TAC of the honeys. For this purpose, honeys from six SBH species (Melipona mondury, Melipona quadrifasciata a., Melipona capixaba, Nannotrigona testaceicornis, Tetragonisca angustula, and Plebeia lucii) were analyzed, all sourced from the same region, to control for the geographic region variable, seeking to evaluate the biological effect of the species. The samples were characterized by FT-MIR and UV-Vis for the determination of total phenolic compound (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), and RS contents, as well as for the determination of antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP). Additionally, the samples were characterized by SHS-GC-MS for the identification of VOCs. The data were processed using Spearman correlation and PCA. The FT-MIR profiles, combined with PCA, allowed the samples to be discriminated by species, revealing chemical differences among honeys from different species. TAC varied widely among species (DPPH: 149.18 to 415.08 µg trolox g1; FRAP: 18.65 to 157.0 µmol FeSO4 g1), in correspondence with the variation in phenolic compound (TPC: 6.71 to 16.74 mg GAE 100 g1) and flavonoid (TFC: 0.68 to 3.02 mg QE 100 g1) contents. RS showed no significant correlation with TAC (DPPH = 0.056 and FRAP = 0.042). Eight chemical classes were identified, whose distinct profiles propone metabolic particularities associated with each species. Spearman correlation indicated a strong association between DPPH/FRAP and the spectral ratios OH/1500-650 cm1 and CH/OH, as well as direct relationships between specific chemical classes and bee body size. These results indicate that bee species may be a determining factor in the chemical variability of SBH and may contribute to the understanding of the biological mechanisms that regulate its quality and bioactive potential.
