Physicochemical and antibacterial properties of stingless bee honeys from the south of Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

We analyzed stingless bee honeys from different species and years in the South of Chiapas, Mexico; Melipona beecheii, M. solani, Scaptotrigona mexicana, S. pectoralis, Tetragonisca angustula, and Plebeia sp. We also performed studies on dehumidified honeys (final content of 20% and 18% moisture) of M. beecheii, M. solani, S. mexicana, and S. pectoralis. The physicochemical characteristics were different due to their origin and the harvest years, besides our results were different than the required standards for Apis mellifera honey. Melipona beecheii and M. solani (natural, 20% and 18% moisture) honeys registered the biggest antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, and the biggest bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus was observed with S. mexicana honey. Finally, our study is a precedent in stingless bee honeys characterization in the southeast region of Chiapas, Mexico.