Physicochemical Analysis, Antioxidant and Anti Proliferation Activities of Honey, Propolis and Beebread Harvested from Stingless Bee

Abstract

Stingless bees (Kelulut) can produce three major commercial products i.e. honey, propolis and beebread. These products are widely believed to have medicinal benefits, similar with products produced by stinging bees. However, there are very few scientific data available on the stingless bee's products to prove the claims. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of the products from the perspective of physicochemical analysis, activities of antioxidant and anti proliferation on cancer cells. Stingless bees honey, propolis and beebread were collected and their physicochemical and antioxidant properties were analysed prior to treatment on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. Physicochemical analysis indicated that the samples are mostly not within the range reported by the Codex Standard for Honey. Honey, propolis and beebread exhibited antioxidant activity through the total phenolic content of 700 mg GAE/kg, 1600 mg GAE/kg and 300 mg GAE/kg respectively. Propolis has the highest antioxidant activity and inhibited MCF-7 cell growth at IC50 of 38.9 μg/ml. Meanwhile, stingless bee honey and beebread displayed the IC50 at 60 v/v and 64μg/mL respectively. The data is crucial to unveiled and prove medicinal properties and potential possessed by the stingless bee products. Subsequently, increase their commercial value in the future.