Proximate Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Kelulut (Heterotrigona itama) Honey from Peat Land Forest, South Kalimantan

Abstract

Honey is a source of food commonly consumed by people as a medicinal substance. This study aims to analyze the proximate composition of Kelulut (Heterotrigona itama) honey and its antioxidant activity. Kelulut Honey was collected from the peat land forest of subdistrict of Landasan Ulin Utara (Laura), Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The proximate analysis was done according to standard methods, while the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the hydroxyl radical scavenging, ferrous iron chelating, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. The results revealed that Kelulut Honey contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, calories, fibers, carotenoids, lycopene, and vitamin C. Kelulut Honey has antioxidant activity as shown by a high hydroxyl radical scavenging activity with percentage radical scavenging activity of 42.673 ± 1.028%. The metal chelating effect and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity were also remarkable, with percentage activity of 8.431 ± 1.393%, and 5.508 ± 0.744%, respectively.