Total phenolic and flavonoid content of P. armata honey and propolis produced in Bomet, Kisii and Maralal, Kenya

Abstract

Bee products are gaining interest in the field of research due to their biochemical and nutritive properties. Honey bee products have been researched extensively but little has been done in regards to stingless bees. There are many species of stingless bees including Plebeina armata, which are found in the Afrotropics. They are underground nesting and produce honey, propolis, wax, pollen and bee bread. These products are known to be rich in polyphenols that comprise of flavonoids and phenolic. In our study, we analysed colorimetrically the total flavonoid, phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of honey (n = 22) and propolis (n = 25) from Bomet, Kisii and Maralal in Kenya.