Evaluation of antioxidant activity of bee products of different bee races in Turkey

Bee products with high bioactive properties have a very important place in human nutrition. Biochemical properties of these products such as honey, pollen, and propolis vary according to flora, season, bee race, and production methods. In this study, the biological activities of honey, bee pollen, and propolis samples from four bee races in Turkey (Apis mellifera caucasica, Apis mellifera anatoliaca, Apis mellifera syriaca, and Apis mellifera carnica) were examined. Besides the determining of total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents, the antioxidant capacity was investigated by three different assays: DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activities, CUPRAC (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power). The rank order of antioxidant potencies was as follows in the four bee races: propolis > pollen > honey. The polyphenol content of the products was evaluated and Apis mellifera syriaca for honey, Apis mellifera anatoliaca for pollen, and Apis mellifera carnica for propolis were found higher than the others. When bee races were compared, it was seen that flora is a more effective factor than bee race for antioxidant capacity.