Physico-chemical characteristics, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities of genuine forest honey from east kalimantan

Abstract

In the dense tropical forests of Kalimantan, Apis dorsata produces forest honey with pollen diversity that has the potential to have unique antibacterial and antioxidant properties. This study is aimed to report the physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity and antibacterial analysis of forest honey from East Kalimantan. A total of nine samples of forest honey were purchased from local buyers of several regions. The power of hydrogen (pH), water content, diastase enzymes, fructose levels, and glucose levels were measured. Antioxidant activity was measured with ABTS assay. Antibacterial activity was conducted against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and S. enterica serovar Typhi. Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) identified antibacterial functional groups. Honey samples from tropical forests in East Kalimantan had pH between 2.93±0.06 and 3.83±0.06, a moisture content between 18.44±0.64 and 25.67±0.29%, fructose levels between 7.85±0.05 and 17.73±0.13%, and glucose levels between 1.24±0.16 and 17.34±0.14%. Goa Tembenus honey showed the highest IC50 antioxidant activity and the highest Diastase Enzyme activity. Goa Tembenus and Bongan honey showed good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative. Minimum inhibitory levels of honey were found at concentrations of 25% and 30%. Honey from tropical forests in East Kalimantan has H2O2 as an antibacterial component.