Chemical Profile, Antioxidant Properties and Antimicrobial Activities of Malaysian Heterotrigona itama Bee Bread

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the chemical profile, antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activities of Heterotrigona itama bee bread from Malaysia. The pH, presence of phytochemicals, antioxidant properties, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), as well as antimicrobial activities, were assessed. Results revealed a decrease in the pH of bee bread water extract (BBW) relative to bee bread ethanolic extract (BBE) and bee bread hot water extract (BBH). Further, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, resins, glycosides and xanthoproteins were detected in BBW, BBH and BBE. Also, significant decreases in TPC, TFC, DPPH activity and FRAP were detected in BBW relative to BBH and BBE. We detected phenolic acids such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, trans-ferulic acid, trans 3-hydroxycinnamic acid and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, and flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin and mangiferin in BBE using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The strongest antimicrobial activity was observed in Klebsilla pneumonia (MIC50 1.914 µg/mL), followed by E. coli (MIC50 1.923 µg/mL), Shigella (MIC50 1.813 µg/mL) and Salmonella typhi (MIC50 1.617 µg/mL). Bee bread samples possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Bee bread contains phenolic acids and flavonoids, and could be beneficial in the management and treatment of metabolic diseases.

Therapeutic Effects of Bee Bread on Obesity-Induced Testicular-Derived Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in High-Fat Diet Obese Rat Model

“…Our present study showed increased testicular inflammation in the obese group, which is consistent with our study previously reported [12,31]. Treatment with bee bread reversed this trend in the bee bread-treated group which is consistent with our previous model of inducing obesity and may be attributed to the presence of phenols and flavonoids [3].…”

“…This may be as a result of increased fats deposits in the adipocytes and corroborates with the findings of our previous model of inducing obesity [12,31]. However, treatment with bee bread revealed decreases in the body mass and Lee obesity indexes in the bee bread-treated group, for the present model of inducing obesity, and is consistent with our previously reported study which could be traced to the presence of phenols and flavonoids in bee bread [3].…”

“…It possesses high protein, carbohydrates, fats, and mineral components. Bee bread comprises of 24–35% carbohydrates, 20% protein, 3% lipids, 3% minerals and vitamins, enzymes (phosphatases, glucose-oxidase, saccharase and amylase), amino acids (proline, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, histidine, arginine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, tryptophan, lysine, threonine, cysteine, phenylalanine, alanine, glycine, tyrosine and serine), carotenoids, phenolic acid and flavonoids, pantothenic acid, polyphenols, and sterols [ 3 ]. The possession of large amounts of protein and amino acid is due to the fact that bee pollen also possesses a high amount of these nutrients.…”

Hepatoprotective Effect of Bee Bread in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) Rats: Impact on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

“…This is in agreement with a previously reported study [ 41 ]. The beneficial effects of bee bread presented in this study could be attributed to its rich source of phenolic compounds including hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, caffeic acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol and mangiferin [ 64 ], which have lipid-lowering and anti-obesity effects, as reported in previous studies [ 41 , 65 , 66 ].…”

Bee Bread as a Promising Source of Bioactive Molecules and Functional Properties: An Up-To-Date Review

“…In a study conducted by Didaras et al [ 84 ], it was reported that the aqueous extract of Greek bee bread was effective against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC values ranging between 3.9 mg/mL and 48 mg/mL) and against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC values ranging between 7.8 mg/mL and 90.4 mg/mL). It has also been shown that bee bread ethanolic extracts (70%, 95%, 80%, and 50%) have strong antibiotic activity against Gram-positive bacteria ( Bacillus cereus , Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus Subtilis, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Listeria monocytogene ), Gram-negative bacteria ( Haemophilus influenza, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella enteric, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella typhi , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa )and fungi ( Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger , Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis , Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Penicillium griseofulvum ) [ 52 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 ].…”