Indonesian Researchers Discover Anti-Cancer Properties in Stingless Bee Honey
Jakarta - Researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) have successfully identified probiotic lactic acid bacteria from the honey and bee pollen of Indonesian stingless bees that possess various important biological activities, ranging from antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties, to the potential to help control blood sugar levels. This discovery opens up opportunities for the development of functional foods and nutribiotics based on Indonesia’s biodiversity.
The research was conducted by a team from BRIN’s Centre for Food Technology and Process Research (PRTPP) together with partners from Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The study utilised honey and bee pollen from seven species of stingless bees originating from Yogyakarta and Sumbawa.
The research results have been published in the international journals Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and International Microbiology, and have also obtained a patent registration with the number S00202605018.
PRTPP BRIN researcher Ema Damayanti explained that stingless bee honey has long been known to be rich in bioactive compounds. However, the existence of probiotic microorganisms living in the honey and bee pollen has rarely been studied, especially in Indonesia.
“We found that Indonesian stingless bee honey harbours lactic acid bacteria that are not only capable of surviving in digestive tract conditions, but also have excellent antibacterial, antibiofilm, anti-cancer, and antioxidant activities. This demonstrates its potential as a probiotic candidate for functional foods,” said Ema.
In the study, the team successfully isolated a number of lactic acid bacteria from the honey and bee pollen of various stingless bee species, including Heterotrigona itama, Tetragonula laeviceps, Tetragonula clypearis, Tetragonula sarawakensis, Lepidotrigona terminata, Tetragonula drescheri, and Tetragonula biroi. From the various isolates obtained, seven top isolates were selected based on their ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
The seven isolates were then analysed using whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology, UHPLC-HRMS-based metabolomics, and various probiotic character tests. The analysis results showed that the superior isolates were identified as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Pediococcus acidilactici.
According to Ema, the research showed that the isolated bacteria were able to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while also preventing the formation of biofilms, which often cause increased bacterial resistance to treatment. Furthermore, the probiotic bacteria also demonstrated anti-cancer activity against WiDr colon cancer cell lines and high antioxidant activity based on DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP testing. “We also found quite significant α-amylase inhibitory activity. This potential is interesting because it relates to controlling blood sugar levels, thus providing an opportunity to be developed into healthy food products,” added Ema.
Further genome analysis revealed the presence of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that play a role in the production of various bioactive compounds, including bacteriocins and natural antimicrobial compounds. Meanwhile, metabolomic analysis successfully identified various bioactive metabolites that support the health benefits of these bacteria. According to Ema, the integration of genomic and metabolomic approaches is an important step to understand the biological mechanisms of local Indonesian probiotics more comprehensively. “Indonesia has a vast biodiversity of stingless bees. This potential is not only important for food security and biodiversity, but can also be utilised for the development of research-based functional food and health industries,” she explained.
Going forward, the BRIN research team will continue research at the product formulation stage and application tests on fermented foods and probiotic supplements. Further research is also needed to ensure the safety, stability, and effectiveness of these probiotic bacteria on an industrial scale.
This finding further strengthens BRIN’s role in developing functional food research based on Indonesia’s biodiversity while encouraging the birth of high-value-added natural health product innovations that can enhance national competitiveness.