TUALANG HONEY: COMPOSITION, PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Abstract

Honey is a natural supersaturated sugar solution composed mainly of a complex mixture of carbohydrates and water. Honey composition is variable and depends primarily on its floral source. The composition and biological effects of honey is influenced by seasonal and environmental factors. Tualang honey is a multifloral wild honey produced by a kind of bees known as rock bees or Apis dorsata. This kind of bees build their hives on the Kompassia excelsa, the other name of tualang trees, which are located in the North- Western region of Malaysia. They are also found in Sumatra, Borneo, and South Thailand. Many previous researches have been carried out on tualang honey and they proved its beneficial effects in a wide range of clinical conditions. This review summerizes the physiochemical properties of tualang honey and its medicinal importance.