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Bee Products as a Source of Natural Antioxidants: Second Edition

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A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2024 | Viewed by 6913

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Prof. Dr. Miguel Vilas-Boas

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Guest Editor

Mountain Research Center, Politechnic University of Braganca, Braganca, Portugal
Interests: beekeeping technology, which includes honeybee ecology, honeybee health, quality of bee products and organic beekeeping; chemistry of natural products; biomaterials
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Dr. Soraia I. Falcão

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Guest Editor

Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
Interests: bee products; natural compounds; phenolic compounds; volatiles; chromatography; honeybee
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Dear Colleagues,

It is a well-known fact that bees play a rather significant role in preserving the ecosystem due to their pollination capacities, and as well as their ability to produce honey, a natural sweet product with important nutraceutical properties. Additionally, they also have the potential to gather other particular substances from nature and transform them into special products via sophisticated mechanisms. Thus, bees and bee products are considered as interesting research topics.

The first edition of this Special Issue, ‘Bee Products as a Source of Natural Antioxidants’ was a success, with sixteen articles ranging from the purification of natural bioactive compounds of bee products such as honey, propolis, bee pollen and bee bread, to the testing of their biological activities in vitro and in vivo. Since then, this research field has experienced several another advancements; thus, we cordially invite you to submit your valuable articles to the second edition of this Special Issue, underscoring those very relevant findings and progress. We welcome submissions concerning the assessment of antioxidant properties in bee products using novel analytical and technical approaches, development of new products from honeybees and other bees, bioactivity of bee products, and their potential applications in cosmetics, food, or pharmaceutical industry as well as human and veterinary medicines.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Miguel Vilas-Boas
Dr. Soraia I. Falcão
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

bee products
bioactivity
honeybee
new technical approaches
natural substances
bioacessibility
Hive products
wild bees

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 3524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry—A Case Study Formulation

by Mariana Lamas, Ana Margarida Silva, Manuela M. Moreira, Maria Luz Maia, Valentina F. Domingues, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Maria Helena Amaral, Virgínia Cruz Fernandes and Francisca Rodrigues

Antioxidants 2024, 13(10), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13101152 - 24 Sep 2024

Viewed by 523

Abstract

Consumers are increasingly concerned about cosmetic ingredients’ origin, looking more than ever to sustainable and greener formulations. The Natural Park of Montesinho, located in Portugal, is characterized by an enormous fauna and flora diversity. Among them, beeswax and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo) have attracted the cosmetic researchers’ interest due to their bioactive compounds’ richness, particularly fatty acids and phenolic compounds. The main goal of this study was to develop an innovative cosmetic product with antioxidant properties composed by both matrices. Briefly, samples were obtained in the Natural Park of Montesinho in October 2022. Beeswax was analysed for lipid profile and contaminants, while extracts were obtained from fruits by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using water as a solvent. The effect of extraction time (15–90 min) was studied on the total phenolic content (TPC), in vitro antioxidant/antiradical activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity. The beeswax lipid profile presented a high incidence of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. The extract obtained at 60 min presented the highest TPC (30.27 mg GAE/g dw) and antioxidant/antiradical activities (ABTS = 30.36 mg AAE/g dw; DPPH = 43.83 mg TE/g dw; FRAP = 415.61 µmol FSE/g dw). An IC₅₀ of 19.78 µg/mL was achieved for the hypochlorous acid, while for superoxide radical and peroxyl radical the IC₅₀ were, respectively, 90.51 µg/mL and 0.19 µmol TE/mg dw. The phytochemical profile revealed a high content of gallic acid, and catechin and its derivatives. The hydrophilic cream developed revealed ideal technological parameters, particularly its stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products as a Source of Natural Antioxidants: Second Edition)

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19 pages, 6169 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Bee Pollen from Acorn (Quercus acutissima Carr.) and Darae (Actinidia arguta)

by Jeong-Eun Kwak, Joo-Yeon Lee, Ji-Yoon Baek, Sun Wook Kim and Mok-Ryeon Ahn

Antioxidants 2024, 13(8), 981; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13080981 - 13 Aug 2024

Viewed by 794

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by a progressive decline in physical function and an increased risk of age-related chronic diseases. Additionally, oxidative stress is known to cause severe tissue damage and inflammation. Pollens from acorn and darae are extensively produced in Korea. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of these components under the conditions of inflammation and oxidative stress remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bee pollen components on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. This study demonstrates that acorn and darae significantly inhibit the LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), in RAW 264.7 cells. Specifically, bee pollen from acorn reduces NO production by 69.23 ± 0.04% and PGE2 production by 44.16 ± 0.08%, while bee pollen from darae decreases NO production by 78.21 ± 0.06% and PGE2 production by 66.23 ± 0.1%. Furthermore, bee pollen from acorn and darae reduced active oxygen species (ROS) production by 47.01 ± 0.5% and 60 ± 0.9%, respectively. It increased the nuclear potential of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment with acorn and darae abolished the nuclear potential of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and reduced the expression of extracellular signal-associated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Specifically, acorn decreased NF-κB nuclear potential by 90.01 ± 0.3%, ERK phosphorylation by 76.19 ± 1.1%, and JNK phosphorylation by 57.14 ± 1.2%. Similarly, darae reduced NF-κB nuclear potential by 92.21 ± 0.5%, ERK phosphorylation by 61.11 ± 0.8%, and JNK phosphorylation by 59.72 ± 1.12%. These results suggest that acorn and darae could be potential antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products as a Source of Natural Antioxidants: Second Edition)

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16 pages, 3076 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. Honey Prevents Inflammation Response and Inhibits Ferroptosis by Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in DSS-Induced Human Caco-2 Cells

by Caijun Ren, Yuying Zhu, Qiangqiang Li, Miao Wang, Suzhen Qi, Dandan Sun, Liming Wu and Liuwei Zhao

Antioxidants 2024, 13(8), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13080900 - 25 Jul 2024

Viewed by 872

Abstract

Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. (L. bicolor) honey, a monofloral honey, has garnered increased attention due to its origin in the L. bicolor plant. A previous study has shown that L. bicolor honey can ameliorate inflammation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of L. bicolor honey extract and its biomarker (Trifolin) on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Our results demonstrated that L. bicolor honey extract and Trifolin significantly increased the expression levels of the tight junction cytokines Claudin-1 and ZO-1. Additionally, they decreased the pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 and enhanced the antioxidant factors NQO1 and GSTA1. Based on metabolomic analyses, L. bicolor honey extract and Trifolin regulated the progression of UC by inhibiting ferroptosis. Mechanistically, they improved the levels of SOD and iron load, increased the GSH/GSSG ratio, reduced MDA content and ROS release, and upregulated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, thereby inhibiting DSS-induced UC. Moreover, the expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes indicated that they decreased FTL, ACSL4, and PTGS2 while increasing SLC7A11 expression to resist ferroptosis. In conclusion, our study found that L. bicolor honey improves DSS-induced UC by inhibiting ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. These findings further elucidate the understanding of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of L. bicolor honey. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products as a Source of Natural Antioxidants: Second Edition)

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27 pages, 2201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Botanical Origin and Biological Properties of Honey and Propolis from Cuautitlan, State of Mexico, Mexico

by Jose Juan Alcivar-Saldaña, Marco Aurelio Rodriguez-Monroy, Liborio Carrillo-Miranda and Maria Margarita Canales-Martinez

Antioxidants 2024, 13(7), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13070874 - 20 Jul 2024

Viewed by 857

Abstract

Beekeeping is an activity that generates various products, mainly honey and propolis, with different biological activities that are studied extensively using various methodologies. The influence of various phenolic compounds, such as phenols and flavonoids, which are synthesized and concentrated differently in each product depending on the melliferous flora and sources of resources, on the manufacture of propolis or honey has been investigated. However, the analysis of these products has been performed separately and is outdated in time, and depending on the area and the flowering periods, different crops may be harvested. The analysis of the honey and propolis produced in Cuautitlan, State of Mexico, in the high plateau beekeeping zone, for a period of four years, both in the dry and rainy seasons, was proposed to determine the botanical origin of the honey and propolis. The primary pollen type in both honey and propolis was from Brassica rapa. Physicochemical tests were conducted, revealing higher concentrations of antimicrobial activity in the dry season than in the rainy season. Honey, propolis, and a vegetation extract showed activity against S. aureus, while only honey had an effect on E. coli in both seasons. For antifungal activity, only propolis collected in the rainy season had this activity. The biological properties of these products are closely related to the flora that varies both annually and between seasons, influencing the concentrations of phenolic compounds, as well as the biological activity of honey and propolis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products as a Source of Natural Antioxidants: Second Edition)

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23 pages, 1102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Characterization and Biological Properties of Leguminous Honey

by Florinda Fratianni, Giuseppe Amato, Maria Neve Ombra, Vincenzo De Feo, Filomena Nazzaro and Beatrice De Giulio

Antioxidants 2024, 13(4), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13040482 - 18 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1363

Abstract

Honey can beneficially act against different human diseases, helping our body to improve its health. The aim of the present study was first to increase knowledge of some biochemical characteristics (amount and composition of polyphenols and volatile organic compounds, vitamin C content) of five Italian legume honeys (alfalfa, astragalus, carob, indigo, and sainfoin). Furthermore, we evaluated their potential health properties by studying their antioxidant and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities and in vitro inhibitory effects on three enzymes involved in neurodegenerative diseases (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase). Alfalfa honey showed the highest total polyphenol content (TPC) (408 μg g⁻¹ of product). Indigo honey showed the lowest TPC (110 μg g⁻¹ of product). The antioxidant activity was noteworthy, especially in the case of sainfoin honey (IC₅₀ = 6.08 mg), which also exhibited excellent inhibitory action against butyrylcholinesterase (74%). Finally, the correlation between the biochemical and functional results allowed us to identify classes of molecules, or even single molecules, present in these five honeys, which are capable of influencing the properties indicated above. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products as a Source of Natural Antioxidants: Second Edition)

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32 pages, 3565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities in Bee-Collected Pollen through Solid-State Fermentation: A Comparative Analysis of Bioactive Compounds

by Adriana Cristina Urcan, Adriana Dalila Criste, Daniel Severus Dezmirean, Otilia Bobiș, Victorița Bonta, Ramona Flavia Burtescu, Neli-Kinga Olah, Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan and Rodica Mărgăoan

Antioxidants 2024, 13(3), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030292 - 27 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1786

Abstract

The present study investigates the impact of solid-state fermentation on bee-collected pollen using a consortium of Lactobacillus plantarum, Apilactobacillus kunkeei, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Another aim is to compare the nutritional and bioactive properties of natural versus fermented pollen, focusing on macronutrient composition, pH, acidity, lactic acid content, and profiles of polyphenolics and flavonoids. Our results indicated significant enhancements in the contents of amino acids, suggesting improved protein content, alongside increases in polyphenolic and flavonoid contents post-fermentation. According to the heat mapping and cluster analysis, increased antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, particularly E. coli, were observed in the fermented bee-collected pollen samples, which may have been due to the accumulation of phenolic compounds (e.g., ellagic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside). Furthermore, significant positive correlations of the fermented bee-collected pollen samples with non-essential amino acids were recorded compared with the unfermented bee-collected pollen samples, which may have been due to the fermentation process and the conversion of proteins into free amino acids via proteolysis. Future research could explore the underlying mechanisms, the scalability of fermentation, its application in functional foods, and the health benefits of fermented bee-collected pollen in human diets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products as a Source of Natural Antioxidants: Second Edition)

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