Analysis of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Stingless Bee Honey and Identification of a Botanical Source as Ageratum conyzoides. National Library of Medicine, 16 (1). (2024)
Abstract
Stingless bee honeys (SBHs) from Australian and Malaysian species were analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and the corresponding N-oxides (PANOs) due to the potential for such hepatotoxic alkaloids to contaminate honey as a result of bees foraging on plants containing these alkaloids. Low levels of alkaloids were found in these SBHs when assessed against certified PA standards in targeted analysis. However, certain isomers were identified using untargeted analysis in a subset of honeys of Heterotrigona itama which resulted in the identification of a PA weed species (Ageratum conyzoides) near the hives. The evaluation of this weed provided a PA profile matching that of the SBH of H. itama produced nearby, and included supinine, supinine N-oxide (or isomers) and acetylated derivatives. These PAs lacking a hydroxyl group at C7 are thought to be less hepatoxic.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | stingless bee honey, Ageratum conyzoides, Meliponini |
| Taxonomy: | By Niche > Kelulut (Stingless Bee) > Physiology By Niche > Kelulut (Stingless Bee) > Research |
| Local Content Hub: | Niche > Kelulut (Stingless Bee) |
| Depositing User: | Nurmaisari binti Che Anuar (Kuala Terengganu) |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Jun 2025 04:18 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Jun 2025 04:18 |
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