Production of propolis and honey from Tetragonula laeviceps cultivated in Modular Tetragonula Hives

Evaluating Biological Properties of Stingless Bee Propolis

The aim of the present study was to determine the content of phenolics, flavonoids and tannins, as well as the biological functions of propolis extracts from the stingless bee (Heterotrigona itama). The raw propolis was extracted via maceration with ultrasonic pretreatment in 100% water and 20% ethanol. The yield of ethanolic propolis extracts was about 1% higher than its aqueous counterpart. The colorimetric assays showed that the ethanolic propolis extract had about two times higher phenolics (17.043 mg GAE/g) and tannins (5.411 mg GAE/g), and four times higher flavonoids (0.83 mg QE/g). The higher phenolic content had enhanced the antiradical and antibacterial capacities of the ethanolic extract. The propolis extracts significantly exhibited higher antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) than gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). However, aqueous extract was found to have a higher anticancer property based on the viability of lung cancer cells. No cytotoxic effect was observed on normal lung cells as the cell viability was maintained >50%, even the concentration of propolis extracts were increased up to 800 µg/mL. Different chemical compositions of propolis extract would show different bioactivities depending upon the individual applications. The high content of phenolics suggests that the propolis extract could be a natural source of bioactive ingredients for the development of innovative and functional foods.

Determination of productivity, yield and bioactivity of propolis extract produced by Tetragonula spp. Cultivated in Modular tetragonula hives

This study investigated the effects of microclimate conditions on the activity of Tetragonula laeviceps, Tetragonula biroi, and Tetragonula drescheri cultivated in Modular Tetragonula Hives for producing crude propolis. The hives were equipped with sensors that recorded microclimate data within the hive as well as the total activity of bees entering and leaving the hives. This study also investigated the effects of cultivating T. laeviceps, T. drescheri, and T. biroi with P. merkusii resin towards the productivity of crude propolis and the effects of different extraction methods on the yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antibacterial activity of propolis extract produced by the Tetragonula spp. Based on the statistical analysis, there is a significant positive correlation between temperature and light intensity towards the activity Tetragonula spp. entering and leaving the beehives. The productivity of crude propolis lies in the range of 1.22-5.88 g/colony/week whereas the yield of propolis extract varies from 15.12 to 24.17%. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the propolis extract lies in the range of 123.81-343.93 mg GAE/g and 5.48-35.77 mg QE/g, respectively. The highest propolis yield (32.45 ± 0.90%) was obtained from the crude propolis produced by T. drescheri followed by Soxhlet extraction method. Propolis extract with the highest phenolic content (343.93 ± 44.32 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (35.77 ± 9.94 mg QE/g) was obtained from the propolis produced by T. laeviceps followed by maceration method. All the propolis extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus with the inhibition diameter varies from 6.58 ± 0.04 mm to 9.70 ± 0.7 mm which be considered as moderate antimicrobial activity.