https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02171-8
Regular Article
Comparative analysis of phenolic, flavonoid contents and biological activities of stingless bee propolis for pharmaceutical applications
1
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, 80280, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
2
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, 80280, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
3
Creative Innovation in Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, 80280, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
4
Center of Excellence in Nanomaterials Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, 80280, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
5
Biomass Energy Research Laboratory, Center of Excellence On Alternative Energy, Research and Development Institution, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, 47000, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand
6
Program of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, Mueang District, 47000, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand
7
Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center (NANOCAT), University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
a
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Received:
14
October
2025
Accepted:
27
January
2026
Published online:
28
February
2026
Abstract
This study has analyzed the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of propolis extracts from two stingless bee species, Tetrigona binghami (SBB) and Tetrigona apicali (SBA), sourced from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Propolis samples extracted using ethanol are performed at concentrations of 40%, 70%, and 90%, for the extraction times of 1, 3, and 6 h. SBA propolis has exhibited higher TPC and TFC values than SBB. In addition, SBA has shown significantly stronger antioxidant activity, as determined by DPPH and FRAP assays. In the DPPH assay, SBA demonstrated the highest radical scavenging activity, with an IC50 of 9.80 mg/L, indicating good antioxidant capacity. SBA has also displayed greater reducing power (649.62 µM Fe(II)/g extract) compared to SBB. Both propolis extracts have exhibited its prominent antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with SBA that shows superior activity against S. aureus. The findings indicate that the phenolic and flavonoid compounds in propolis drive its therapeutic effects. This study highlights the requirement of optimizing the extraction methods to enhance antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, especially for T. apicali, holding its suitability in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
