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Bioactivity of Honey and Propolis of Tetragonula laeviceps in Thailand

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Pot-Honey

Abstract

In Thailand, bee products have long been used in traditional medicine. Honey and propolis extracts of Tetragonula laeviceps inhibit the growth of many microorganisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (by honey) and Herpes simplex virus. The chemical composition of water extracts of propolis (WEP) and dose-dependent antimicrobial activities are reported. Ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) has antimalarial activity, as do peptides. Both honey and propolis may possess anticancer qualities. The percentage of cell viability, DNA fragmentation, and change in morphology of treated cancer cells are described. Safety and efficacy of chemical raw materials, including contamination with plant pollen and pathogenic spores, must be addressed before advocating widespread consumption of raw bee products.

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Acknowledgments

I wish to thank the following: the Thailand Research Fund (grant # RMU5180042); the National Research Council of Thailand; the Asahi Glass Foundation; the Thai Government Stimulus Package 2 (TKK2555), under the Project for the Establishment of a Comprehensive Center for Innovative Food, Health Products and Agriculture; the Ratchadapisek Somphot Endowment Fund (AG001B); and the Higher Education Research Promotion and National Research University Project of Thailand, Office of the Higher Education Commission, for financial support. I also thank Dr. Orawan Duangphakdee, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Ratchaburi Campus, Bangkok, Thailand for honey collection. Finally, I express my gratitude to Professor Patricia Vit for the invitation to write this chapter, and all the editorial support received from her and Dr. David W Roubik.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Chanpen Chanchao

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  1. Chanpen Chanchao
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Correspondence to Chanpen Chanchao .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zumba Sur, University of the Andes, Villa Del Rio 8, Merida, 5101, Venezuela

    Patricia Vit

  2. Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-901, São Paulo, Brazil

    Silvia R. M. Pedro

  3. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancon, Panama

    David Roubik

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Chanchao, C. (2013). Bioactivity of Honey and Propolis of Tetragonula laeviceps in Thailand. In: Vit, P., Pedro, S., Roubik, D. (eds) Pot-Honey. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4960-7_36

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