ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF APIS FLOREA HONEY FROM DRYLAND ECOSYSTEM IN WESTERN INDIA.

Apis florea bees are found in abundance in the dryland ecosystem of Kachchh; producing highest quantity of honey in Gujarat chiefly contributed by Prosopis juliflora nectar. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of this honey. Raw and processed honey samples were assessed for their in vitro antioxidant potential and correlated with proline content, total proteins, total phenolics, total flavonoids and color intensity. Analysis revealed Kachchh honey to be a good source of antioxidants. Reduced amount of proline, total proteins and total flavonoids were found in processed honey whereas total phenolics and color intensity were found least affected. Correlation values indicated high influence of total phenolic content on ferric reducing /antioxidant power (FRAP) (r = 0.85), radical scavenging activity (RSA) (r = 0.81) and ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant content (AEAC) (r = 0.80). Also, significant correlations between antioxidant properties and total flavonoids, total proteins and proline content were observed. Pigment content (color intensity) correlated well with phenol (r = 0.77) and flavonoid (r = 0.77) contents. Present study indicated major influence of total phenolic content on the antioxidant power of the Kachchh honey.