Avaliação da atividade antioxidante da geoprópolis de Melipona interrupta: uma espécie de abelha sem ferrão

Abstract

Stingless bees, or meliponines, demonstrate relevance and economic potential through meliponiculture, the sustainable bee-rearing of stingless bees in boxes to obtain their produce. In this context, species of the genus Melipona stand out for the pharmacological properties of their products, with geopropolis, a mixture of resin and salivary secretions with soil and clay, standing out. Tests confirm several biological activities in geopropolis, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial. Thus, we sought to evaluate the antioxidant activity of M. interrupta geopropolis through the methods of DPPH radical sequestration capacity and quantification of phenolic compounds with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The hydroalcoholic extract of geopropolis presented an IC50 = 241.18 and 357.80 mg EAG/g of phenolic compounds, demonstrating a satisfactory quantity, and manifesting a relevant antioxidant activity