Honey and Its Phyto-Constituents, From Chemistry to Medicine

Abstract

Honeybees depend upon plants for everything they want to maintain the colony running; nectar and pollen that is their only carbohydrate and protein essential nutrients. In order to achieve their necessary nutritional requirement, honey bees eventually collect essential plant metabolites when component of nectar and pollen. In addition, several molecules exhibit biological activity which may become significant in the battle against pests and pathogens in the hive. Flavonoids, ter penoids, and polyphenols are essential biologically active ingredients found in honey and also have antioxidant properties. Nonetheless, for reasons of room, it is practically impossible to give a detailed overview of the phytochemical characteristics of honey and pollen in a literature review of this scope. In addition, the therapeutic ability of biologically active ingredients and their use in value-added food products are also at the core of this chapter.