Physicochemical properties of stingless bees (Meliponula beccarii) honey in Dandi and Meta Robi districts of West Shewa zone, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to characterize the physicochemical properties of honey produced from underground nesting stingless bees (Meliponula beccarii) in the Dandi and Meta Robi districts of the West Shewa zone, Ethiopia. A total of 27 honey samples, including 24 samples collected through careful investigation and excavation of natural nests and 3 samples purchased from the market, were analyzed in the laboratory. The evaluated physicochemical properties showed an overall mean of 306.64±87.95 meq./kg free acidity, 28.05±3.52% moisture content, 1.31±0.44 mS/cm electrical conductivity, 3.29±0.16 pH, 0.89±1.14 mg/kg HMF, 0.63±0.24% mineral (ash), 9.39±4.26% glucose, 0.24±0.01 g/100g sucrose, 10.81±4.95 g/100g maltose, and 16.57±2.55 g/100g fructose, turanose (0.20 ± 0.00 g/100g). The differences between the two district's honey samples were significant (p > 0.05) for fructose value and considerable for free acidity, moisture content, and pH values. The honey samples purchased from the market showed similar physicochemical properties to the honey from the feral nests, with a mean of 314.33±88.72 meq./kg free acidity, 27.73±2.52% moisture content, 1.43±0.41 mS/cm electrical conductivity, 3.26±0.13 pH, 0.95±1.23 mg/kg HMF, 0.59±0.19% mineral (ash), 10.11±4.11% glucose, 0.25±0.02 g/100g sucrose, 11.23±4.52 g/100g maltose, and 16.33±2.41 g/100g fructose. The study found that the stingless bee honey from the study areas had distinctive low HMF, high free acidity, and low pH values, which may indicate the honey's potential medicinal properties. The high free acidity in the Meliponula beccarii honey appear unusually elevated compared to other stingless bee honey and the Codex Alimentarius standards for Apis honey, suggesting increased fermentation that can originate from the bee species, plant and geographical origins, improper handling, and high moisture content. This study demonstrated that the honey in the study areas has distinctive physicochemical properties from A. mellifera-produced honey, which may support its traditional medicinal uses. Further detailed studies on ground-nesting and other stingless species' honey medicinal values are recommended to provide scientific evidence.