Physicochemical profiles, minerals and bioactive compounds of stingless bee honey (Meliponinae)

• Physicochemical profile of thirty-three samples of stingless bee honey are reported.
• Moisture, acidity and carbohydrate of stingless bee honeys differ of Apis mellifera.
• Honey of stingless bees have remarkable antioxidant activity and total phenolic.
• First reports of K, Na, Ca, Mg and Mn in honey of stingless bees.

This study investigates the physicochemical properties, majority minerals, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of stingless bee honey. Thirty-three samples from ten species were analyzed. The results show moisture as 23.1–43.5% (w/w), the electrical conductivity as 0.150–1.34 mS cm−1, the free acid as 16.2–139 mEq kg−1, the pH as 3.33–6.56, the diastase activity as 4.34–49.6 in Göthe units, the insoluble solids as 55.2–76.1°Brix, the carbohydrates as 48.6–70.5% (w/w) sucrose and the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) was below the limit of quantitation (LOQ). The most abundant element in the samples was potassium followed by calcium sodium, magnesium and manganese. Stingless bee honeys possess relevant amounts of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, suggesting a source of natural antioxidants. The results show that there is great variability in the composition of honey from stingless bees of different species, predominantly flowering and geographical origin. However, it was not possible to identify the real factor influencing its features.