The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2023; 12(6):366-376 ; DOI:10.31254/phyto.2023.12603
In-vitro Antimicrobial Effects and Phytochemical Contents of Stingless Bee Meliponula beccarii Honey and Pollen from Baringo County, Kenya
Sammy Kimoloi1 , Jared Onyancha2 , Christine Chepkemoi1 , Timothy K Bett3 , Elias Mandela1 , Sabella Kiprono1
1. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 190-50100, Kakamega, Kenya
2. Department of Pharmacognosy, Mount Kenya University, P.O Box 342-01000 Thika, Kenya
3. Department of Biological Science, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 190-50100, Kakamega, Kenya
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 11th September, 2023 / Accepted: 31st October, 2023 / Published : 30th December, 2023
Background: Afro-tropical stingless bees produce several products including honey, propolis, cerumen and pollen, which are widely used as traditional medicine and food. In Baringo County, Kenya stingless bee honey in particular is widely used as a traditional remedy for respiratory disorders, stomach disorders and oral thrush, commonly associated with bacterial and fungal infections. However, scientific data on the antimicrobial activities and phytochemical content of stingless bee products from Baringo is scarce. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activities and phytochemical content of Meliponula beccarii stingless bee honey and pollen from Baringo County. Materials and methods: Eleven honey and pollen samples were conveniently sampled from eleven wild occurring stingless bee nests in three ecologically distinct areas. Increasing concentrations of honey and pollen samples were then prepared and tested against H. influenzae, E. coli, MRSA and C. albicans using agar well diffusion assay. The broth microdilution test was further performed to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs). Standard qualitative methods were used to analyse the phytochemical contents of the honey and pollen samples. Data was analysed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests. Results: In comparison to distilled water (negative control), the honey samples had a significantly higher mean zones of inhibition at concentration of 100% v/v against E. coli (9.0±4.7 mm vs 0 mm, p
Meliponula beccarii, Honey, Pollen, Antimicrobial activities, Phytochemical content
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Chepkemoi C, Bett TK, Mandela E, Kiprono S, Onyancha J, Kimoloi S. In-vitro Antimicrobial Effects and Phytochemical Contents of Stingless Bee Meliponula beccarii Honey and Pollen from Baringo County, Kenya. J Phytopharmacol 2023; 12(6):366-376. doi: 10.31254/phyto.2023.12603
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