Heterotrigona Itama (Kelulut) Honey and Its Potential Value: A Review

Abstract

Malaysia local stingless bee, Heterotrigona itama or renowned as Kelulut bee creates a path in scientific research due to its honey production. Its honey composed of active therapeutics properties like antioxidant, antimicrobial as well as tonnes of valuable physicochemical properties. These small size stingless bees are not only stress-free to handle but expedient as future commodity to Malaysia. The quality of Kelulut honey is comparable to Manuka honey as therapeutic agents. Undeniably, it worth to have an intensive research upon the honey. A sweet sour of Kelulut honey with acidic pH (3.24-3.71) with low moisture content offers low risk of microbes’ contamination. In addition, this foraging bees are active in gaining its food resources from floral rich area resources. The capacity of Heterotrigona itama to bring more honey from flower nectar is much higher compare to their other families’ member like Tetrigona apicalis and Tetragonula laeviceps. Thus, this review will analyze on the physicochemical characteristics of this honey such as moisture content, ash content, pH, color intensity, electrical conductivity, phenolic content, flavonoid content and chemical composition. Furthermore, finding uncovered that this honey had antibacterial and antioxidant properties that affect the human health.