EFFECTS OF HIVE SIZES AND MESH MATERIALS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF PROPOLIS AND HONEY PRODUCED BY TETRAGONULA LAEVICEPS

Abstract

Propolis and honey are bioproducts produced by Tetragonula laeviceps, a stingless bee species. Both products have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties. Modular Tetragonula hives of different sizes were used in the cultivation of T. laeviceps to increase the productivity of propolis while maintaining the sustainability of the bee colonies. This study was carried out in Jatinangor, West Java, Indonesia, with three size variations: small (21 × 18 × 14 cm), medium (26 × 22 ×17 cm), and large (30 × 26 × 17 cm). Each hive was equipped with a mesh of a different material. The results obtained in this study showed that increasing the hive’s size increases the productivity of propolis. The highest productivity of propolis (2.53 ± 0.37 g/colony/week) was obtained when T. laeviceps was cultivated in large hives equipped with a nylon-based mesh. The highest productivity of honey (0.78 ± 0.18 g/colony/week) was obtained when T. laeviceps was cultivated in medium hives equipped with an aluminum-based mesh. The harvested propolis was extracted using a maceration method. Total flavonoid and phenolic content of the propolis solution lies in the range of 1.77 ± 0.86 to 3.18 ± 1.43 mg QE/g propolis and 32.23 ± 14.09 to 112.13 ± 47.64 mg GAE/g propolis, respectively. The harvested honey had a water content of 21.86%, with 72.86% reducing sugar, 192.86 μg/mL vitamin C, and 2613.41 μg/mL of antioxidant content.