{"id":20825,"date":"2026-06-19T10:12:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T14:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/?p=20825"},"modified":"2026-08-20T15:55:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T19:55:58","slug":"antioxidant-activity-of-peruvian-artisanal-honeys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/antioxidant-activity-of-peruvian-artisanal-honeys\/","title":{"rendered":"Antioxidant activity of Peruvian artisanal honeys"},"content":{"rendered":"

J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 14, no. 3, Article ID 2651, May-Jun 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\nDOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.56499\/jppres_14.3.2651<\/a>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Original Article<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Physicochemical, biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of artisanal honey from coastal and Andean regions of Peru<\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

[Caracterizaci\u00f3n fisicoqu\u00edmica, bioqu\u00edmica y actividad antioxidante de la miel artesanal de las regiones costeras y andinas del Per\u00fa]<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

Felipe Surco-Laos1<\/sup>, Jorge A. Garc\u00eda1<\/sup>, Mar\u00eda R. Bendez\u00fa1<\/sup>, Haydee Ch\u00e1vez1<\/sup>, Juan J. Palomino-Jhong1<\/sup>, Doris Laos-Anchante1<\/sup>, Elizabeth J. Melgar-Merino1<\/sup>, Pompeyo A. Cuba-Garcia1<\/sup>, Paulina Eliades Yarasca-Carlos2<\/sup>, Angel T. Alvarado3<\/sup><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

1<\/sup>Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, San Luis Gonzaga National University of Ica, 11004, Ica, Peru.<\/p>\r\n

2<\/sup>Biological Sciences Faculty, San Luis Gonzaga National University of Ica, 11001, Ica, Peru.<\/p>\r\n

3<\/sup>Center for Research in Molecular Pharmacology and 4P Medicine, VRI, San Ignacio de Loyola University, La Molina 15024, Peru.<\/p>\r\n

*E-mail: aalvarado@usil.edu.pe<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Context<\/em>: Honey contains phenolic constituents and minerals that contribute to measurable in vitro<\/em> antioxidant capacity, which may vary with botanical and geographic origin.<\/p>\r\n

Aims<\/em>: To evaluate physicochemical parameters, total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), mineral composition, and in vitro<\/em> antioxidant capacity in artisanal honey samples collected from coastal and Andean regions of Peru.<\/p>\r\n

Methods<\/em>: Eleven coded honey samples were analyzed in triplicate (analytical replicates). TPC was determined by the Folin\u2013Ciocalteu assay and TFC by an AlCl\u2083-based colorimetric assay. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Minerals were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry after incineration and acid digestion.<\/p>\r\n

Results<\/em>: TPC and TFC differed across samples, and DPPH\/FRAP responses varied by sample. A significant correlation was observed between TPC and TFC, and between DPPH and FRAP; however, no significant monotonic association between antioxidant capacity and TPC\/TFC was detected in this dataset.<\/p>\r\n

Conclusions<\/em>: Peruvian artisanal honey samples showed acceptable physicochemical indices and variable in vitro<\/em> antioxidant capacity. Botanical authentication and compound-level profiling are required to strengthen floral-origin conclusions and to clarify the determinants of antioxidant capacity.<\/p>\r\n

Keywords<\/em>: DPPH; FRAP; honey; physicochemical quality; total flavonoids; total polyphenols.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

\"PDF<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

Resumen<\/h4>\r\n\r\n

Contexto<\/em>: La miel contiene compuestos fen\u00f3licos y minerales que contribuyen a una capacidad antioxidante medible in vitro<\/em>, la cual puede variar seg\u00fan el origen bot\u00e1nico y geogr\u00e1fico.<\/p>\r\n

Objetivos<\/em>: Evaluar los par\u00e1metros fisicoqu\u00edmicos, el contenido total de polifenoles (TPC), el contenido total de flavonoides (TFC), la composici\u00f3n mineral y la capacidad antioxidante in vitro<\/em> en muestras de miel artesanal recolectadas en las regiones costeras y andinas del Per\u00fa.<\/p>\r\n

M\u00e9todos:<\/em> Se analizaron once muestras de miel codificadas por triplicado (r\u00e9plicas anal\u00edticas). TPC se determin\u00f3 mediante el ensayo de Folin-Ciocalteu y TFC mediante un ensayo colorim\u00e9trico con AlCl\u2083. La capacidad antioxidante se evalu\u00f3 mediante los ensayos DPPH y FRAP. Los minerales se cuantificaron mediante espectrofotometr\u00eda de absorci\u00f3n at\u00f3mica de llama tras la incineraci\u00f3n y digesti\u00f3n \u00e1cida.<\/p>\r\n

Resultados<\/em>: El contenido de TPC y TFC vari\u00f3 entre las muestras, y las respuestas DPPH\/FRAP tambi\u00e9n variaron seg\u00fan la muestra. Se observ\u00f3 una correlaci\u00f3n significativa entre TPC y TFC, y entre DPPH y FRAP; sin embargo, no se detect\u00f3 ninguna asociaci\u00f3n monot\u00f3nica significativa entre la capacidad antioxidante y el contenido de TPC\/TFC en este conjunto de datos.<\/p>\r\n

Conclusiones<\/em>: Las muestras de miel artesanal peruana mostraron \u00edndices fisicoqu\u00edmicos aceptables y una capacidad antioxidante in vitro<\/em> variable. Se requiere autenticaci\u00f3n bot\u00e1nica y an\u00e1lisis de compuestos para reforzar las conclusiones sobre el origen floral y esclarecer los factores determinantes de la capacidad antioxidante.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Palabras Clave<\/em>: calidad fisicoqu\u00edmica; DPPH; flavonoides totales; FRAP; miel; polifenoles totales.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

\"PDF<\/a><\/figure>\r\n \r\n
\r\n
https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/pdf\/vol14\/jppres_14.3.2651.pdf<\/a><\/div>\r\n
<\/div>\r\n
<\/div><\/figure>\r\n\r\n
Citation Format: <\/strong>Surco-Laos F, Garc\u00eda JA, Bendez\u00fa MR, Ch\u00e1vez H, Palomino JJ, Laos D, Melgar EJ, Cuba PA, Yarasca PE, Alvarado AT (2026) Physicochemical, biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of artisanal honey from coastal and Andean regions of Peru. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 14(3): 2651. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.56499\/jppres_14.3.2651<\/a><\/pre>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n
References<\/h5>\r\n\r\n
Abd Jalil MA, Kasmuri AR, Hadi H (2017) Stingless bee honey, the natural wound healer: A review. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 30(2): 66\u201375. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1159\/000458416<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Afrin S, Haneefa SM, Fernandez-Cabezudo MJ, Giampieri F, Al-Ramadi BK, Battino M (2020) Therapeutic and preventive properties of honey and its bioactive compounds in cancer: An evidence-based review. Nutr Res Rev 33(1): 50\u201376. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S0954422419000192<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Ajibola A, Chamunorwa JP, Erlwanger KH (2012) Nutraceutical values of natural honey and its contribution to human health and wealth. Nutr Metab (Lond) 9: 61. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1743-7075-9-61<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Al-Hatamleh MAI, Boer JC, Wilson KL, Plebanski M, Mohamud R, Mustafa MZ (2020) Antioxidant-based medicinal properties of stingless bee products: Recent progress and future directions. Biomolecules 10(6): 923. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/biom10060923<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Alvarado AT, Ch\u00e1vez H, Garc\u00eda JA, Bendez\u00fa MR, Surco-Laos F, Molina-Cabrera A, Laos-Anchante D, Vega-Ramos N, Palomino-Jhong JJ, Yarasca-Carlos PE, Loja-Herrera B, Pineda-P\u00e9rez M, Bolarte-Arteaga M (2024) Biophenolic compounds and metal ions associated with the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of Heliotropium arborescens<\/em> L. leaves from the Andean region of Ayacucho-Peru. Pharmacia 71: 1\u201312. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3897\/pharmacia.71.e120315<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Alvarado AT, Mu\u00f1oz AM, Tasayco-Yataco N, Gamarra-Castillo F, Yba\u00f1ez-Julca RO, Bendez\u00fa MR, Ch\u00e1vez H, Garc\u00eda JA, Surco-Laos F, Melgar-Merino EJ, Cuba-Garcia PA, Castillo-Romero P, Vega-Ramos N, Loja-Herrera B, Pineda-P\u00e9rez M, Bolarte-Arteaga M (2023) In vitro<\/em> antioxidant and in vivo<\/em> hypoglycemic activity of biophenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids from Vitis vinifera<\/em> L. muscat and quebranta seeds from the Valley of Ica-Peru. Pharmacia 70(3): 733\u2013744. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3897\/pharmacia.70.e109129<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Alvarez-Suarez JM, Gasparrini M, Forbes-Hern\u00e1ndez TY, Mazzoni L, Giampieri F (2014) The composition and biological activity of honey: A focus on Manuka honey. Foods 3(3): 420\u2013432. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/foods3030420<\/a><\/p>\r\n
AOAC (2019) Official Methods of Analysis. AOAC International. Twenty-first Edition. Williams Horwitz. Maryland.<\/p>\r\n
Bettar I, Gonz\u00e1lez-Miret ML, Hernanz D, Marconi A, Heredia FJ, Terrab A (2019) Characterisation of Moroccan Spurge (Euphorbia<\/em>) honeys by their physicochemical characteristics, mineral contents and colour. Arabian J Chem 12(8): 2052\u20132060. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.arabjc.2015.01.003<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Ch\u00e1vez H, Palomino F, Angelino J, Torres E, Bendez\u00fa MR, Garc\u00eda JA, Loja B, Mu\u00f1oz AM, Alvarado AT (2021) In vivo bronchodilator evaluation of the ethanolic extract of the stems of Jatropha macrantha<\/em> M\u00fcll.Arg. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 9(6): 937\u2013946. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.56499\/jppres21.1109_9.6.937<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Chuttong B, Chanbang Y, Sringarm K, Burgett M (2016) Physicochemical profiles of stingless bee (Apidae: Meliponini) honey from South East Asia (Thailand). Food Chem 192: 149\u2013155. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foodchem.2015.06.089<\/a><\/p>\r\n
da Silva IA, da Silva TM, Camara CA, Queiroz N, Magnani M, de Novais JS, Soledade LE, Lima EdeO, de Souza AL, de Souza AG (2013) Phenolic profile, antioxidant activity and palynological analysis of stingless bee honey from Amazonas, Northern Brazil. Food Chemistry 141(4): 3552\u20133558. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foodchem.2013.06.072<\/a><\/p>\r\n
da Silva PM, Gauche C, Gonzaga LV, Costa AC, Fett R (2016) Honey: Chemical composition, stability and authenticity. Food Chem 196: 309\u2013323. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.foodchem.2015.09.051<\/a><\/p>\r\n
El-Haskoury R, Kriaa W, Lyoussi B, Makni M (2018) Ceratonia siliqua<\/em> honeys from Morocco: Physicochemical properties, mineral contents, and antioxidant activities. J Food Drug Anal 26(1): 67\u201373. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jfda.2016.11.016<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Esa NEF, Ansari MNM, Razak SIA, Ismail NI, Jusoh N, Zawawi NA, Jamaludin MI, Sagadevan S, Nayan NHM (2022) A review on recent progress of stingless bee honey and its hydrogel-based compound for wound care management. Molecules 27(10): 3080. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/molecules27103080<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Flanjak I, Kenjeri\u0107 D, Bubalo D, Primorac L (2016) Characterisation of selected Croatian honey types based on the combination of antioxidant capacity, quality parameters, and chemometrics. Eur Food Res Technol 242: 467\u2013475. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00217-015-2557-0<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Gadge AS, Shirsat DV, Soumia PS, Pote CL, Pushpalatha M, Pandit TR, Dutta R, Kumar S, Ramesh SV, Mahajan V and Karuppaiah V (2024) Physiochemical, biological, and therapeutic uses of stingless bee honey. Front Sustain Food Syst 7: 1324385. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fsufs.2023.1324385<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Huaccho Rojas JJ, Cavero Aguilar ES, Quezada Rojas MA, Lara Paredes AM, Lluen Escobar SE, Paragulla Boc\u00e1ngel AA, Rojas Villacorta FJ, Loja Herrera B, Alvarado A, Mujica Calder\u00f3n J, Salazar Granara A (2012) Efectos sobre la temperatura, frecuencia respiratoria, frecuencia cardiaca y electrocardiograma de Maytenus macrocarpa<\/em> (Ruiz & Pav.) Briq. (chuchuhuasi). Rev Cuba Plant Med 17(3): -243.<\/p>\r\n
International Honey Commission (IHC) (2009) Harmonised Methods of the International Honey Commission. Bee Product Science.<\/p>\r\n
Ka\u0161konien\u0117 V, Venskutonis PR (2010) Floral markers in honey of various botanical and geographic origins: A review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 9(6): 620\u2013634. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1541-4337.2010.00130.x<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Kek SP, Chin NL, Yusof YA, Tan SW, Chua LS (2014) Total phenolic contents and colour intensity of Malaysian honeys from the Apis<\/em> spp. and Trigona<\/em> spp. bees. Agric Agric Sci Procedia 2: 150\u2013155. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.aaspro.2014.11.022<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Mello Dos Santos M, Khan N, Lim LY, Locher C (2024) Antioxidant activity, physicochemical and sensory properties of stingless bee honey from Australia. Foods 13(11): 1657. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/foods13111657<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Mu\u00f1oz AM, Alvarado-Ort\u00edz C, Blanco T, Casta\u00f1eda B, Ruiz J, Alvarado A (2014) Determinaci\u00f3n de compuestos fen\u00f3licos, flavonoides totales y capacidad antioxidante en mieles peruanas de diferentes fuentes florales. Rev Soc Qu\u00edm Per\u00fa 80: 287\u2013297. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.37761\/rsqp.v80i4.182<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Nweze JA, Okafor JI, Nweze EI, Nweze JE (2017) Evaluation of physicochemical and antioxidant properties of two stingless bee honeys: a comparison with Apis mellifera<\/em> honey from Nsukka, Nigeria. BMC Res Notes 10(1): 566. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13104-017-2884-2<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Ooi TC, Yaacob M, Rajab NF, Shahar S, Sharif R (2021) The stingless bee honey protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro<\/em>. Saudi J Biol Sci 28(5): 2987\u20132994. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.sjbs.2021.02.039<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Periago MJ, Navarro-Gonz\u00e1lez I, Alaminos AB, Elvira-Torales LI, Garc\u00eda-Alonso FJ (2016) Param\u00e9tros de calidad en mieles de diferentes or\u00edgenes bot\u00e1nicos producidas en la Alpujarra granadina. An Vet (Murcia) 32: 59\u201371.<\/p>\r\n
Pita-Calvo C, Guerra-Rodr\u00edguez ME, V\u00e1zquez M (2017) Analytical methods used in the quality control of honey. J Agric Food Chem 65(4): 690\u2013703. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.jafc.6b04776<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Pohl P, Bielawska-Pohl A, Dzimitrowicz A, Jamroz P, Welna M, Lesniewicz A, Szymczycha-Madeja A (2017) Recent achievements in the elemental analysis of honey using atomic and mass spectrometry methods. TrAC Trends Anal Chem 93: 67\u201377. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.trac.2017.05.009<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Ramos-Escudero F, Mu\u00f1oz AM, Alvarado-Ort\u00edz C, Alvarado A, Y\u00e1\u00f1ez JA (2012) Purple corn (Zea mays<\/em> L.) phenolic compounds profile and its assessment as an agent against oxidative stress in isolated mouse organs. J Med Food 15(2): 206\u2013215. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/jmf.2010.0342<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Ranneh Y, Ali F, Zarei M, Akim AM, Hamid HA, Khazaai H (2018) Malaysian stingless bee and Tualang honeys: A comparative characterization of total antioxidant capacity and phenolic profile using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. LWT Food Sci Technol 89: 1\u20139. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.lwt.2017.10.020<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F (2017) Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research. Pharmacogn Res 9(2): 121\u2013127. https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5424551\/<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Sun LP, Shi FF, Zhang WW, Zhang ZH, Wang K (2020) Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius<\/em> L.) honey extract. Foods 9(8): 1039. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/foods9081039<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Surco-Laos F, Garc\u00eda JA, Bendez\u00fa MR, Alvarado AT, Laos D, Valle M, Panay J, Palomino JJ, Yarasca PE, Mu\u00f1oz AM, Bolarte M, Pineda M, Loja B (2023) Characterization of polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant activity of Vitis vinifera<\/em> L. (grape) seeds from the Ica Valley, Peru. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 11(2): 270\u2013280. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.56499\/jppres23.1575_11.2.270<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Surco-Laos F, Garc\u00eda J, Valle-Campos M, Panay-Centeno JF, Bonifaz-Hernandez M, Melgar EJ, Cuba-Garcia PA, Sull\u00f3n-Dextre L, Alvarado AT (2022a) Compuestos bioactivos y actividad antioxidante in vitro<\/em> del extracto etan\u00f3lico e hidroalcoh\u00f3lico de Ricinus communis<\/em> L. (Higuerilla). Rev Cuba Farm 55(4): e840<\/p>\r\n
Surco-Laos F, Garc\u00eda JA, Bendez\u00fa MR, Laos D, Panay JF, Valle M, Palomino JJ, Yarasca PE, Loja B, Alvarado AT (2022b) In vitro<\/em> antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract of Senecio nutans<\/em> Sch. Beep. (Asteraceae). J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 10(6): 1026\u20131036. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.56499\/jppres22.1471_10.6.1026<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Tan W, Tian Y, Zhang Q, Miao S, Wu W, Miao X, Kuang H, Yang W (2023) Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Apis laboriosa<\/em> honey against Salmonella enterica<\/em> serovar Typhimurium<\/em>. Front Nutr 10: 1181492. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnut.2023.1181492<\/a><\/p>\r\n
Wilczy\u0144ska A (2010) Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of different types of Polish honey – A short report. Pol J Food Nutr Sci 60(4): 309\u2013313.<\/p>\r\n
Yang W, Shen M, Kuang H, Liu X, Zhang C, Tian Y, Miao X, Xu X (2021) The botanical sources, entomological proteome and antibiotic properties of wild honey. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol 67: 102589. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ifset.2020.102589<\/a><\/p>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\u00a9 2026 Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacognosy Research","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 14, no. 3, Article ID 2651, May-Jun 2026. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.56499\/jppres_14.3.2651 Original Article Physicochemical, biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of artisanal honey from coastal and Andean regions of Peru   [Caracterizaci\u00f3n fisicoqu\u00edmica, bioqu\u00edmica y actividad antioxidante de la miel artesanal de las regiones costeras y andinas del Per\u00fa]   Felipe Surco-Laos1, … Continue reading Antioxidant activity of Peruvian artisanal honeys<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pharmaceutical-science"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20825"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20825\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20825"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20825"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jppres.com\/jppres\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}