Honey is a remarkable natural substance characterised by its complex chemical composition and diverse biological properties. Its properties result from its high sugar content, enzymes, bee-derived peptides, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory characteristics and antimicrobial phytochemicals with therapeutic potential that can inhibit a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant strains. The pollen present in honey is a crucial indicator of the plants that contribute to the honey’s production and can significantly impact its therapeutic properties. In addition to identifying the botanical origins of honey, pollen may also be the source of specific antibacterial characteristics. For instance, the Manuka honey variety contains high levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), a naturally occurring antimicrobial compound formed from
dihydroxyacetone (DHA) conversion in Manuka flower nectar. MGO levels in Manuka honey can be up to 100 times higher than in other honey types, contributing to its potent antibacterial activity.
Taking into consideration the importance of pollen for the therapeutical properties of honey, this project intends to investigate the production of honey within a Laurisilva forest (also called Laurel forest). From previous studies, several plants present in the Laurisilva forest in the Azores might have potential therapeutical activity based on other species of the same genera. For example, the Azorean laurel (Laurus azorica) and the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) may be used for wound healing, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, immunostimulant, anticholinergic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities; the Azorean heath (Erica azorica) may have potential bioactive compounds; the Azorean laurustinus (Viburnum treleasei) may exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, uterine disorders, asthma; or the Azorean juniper (Juniperus brevifolia) with antibacterial properties, potential antitumor properties and even anti-aging applications.
The botanical origins of pollen are not solely responsible for their potential medicinal properties. Volcanic islands like the Azores have unique geological features, including diverse rock types and rare metals. The mineral composition of honey may also play a pivotal role in its possible therapeutic properties, and it can serve as a unique fingerprint of the honey’s origin. Moreover, the microbiome present within the digestive tract of bees may also contribute to the potential therapeutic properties of honey, which is particularly important in islands that often exhibit high levels of endemism due to their isolation.
In order to achieve its main objective this project aims to compare bees and honey from an island apiary with those transposed to the Laurisilva forest for six months. The study will determine possible changes in the bees’ digestive tract microbiome (diversity and function – metagenomics), identify the floral species present in the honey through metabarcoding, assess the honey’s antimicrobial activity using the agar disk-diffusion method, and analyse the honey’s diverse physicochemical properties (e.g., pH, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, mineral composition, carbohydrate content) using techniques such as Raman spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry – Thermogravimetric Analysis (DSC-TGA).
Due to the nature of the LAURIMEL project, a strong dissemination and communication task will be developed to transfer the knowledge obtained to local beekeepers, their associations, and other key stakeholders. It is also noteworthy that the project has the potential to develop further research and protect intellectual property to valorise endogenous resources (e.g., Protected Designation of Origin) and promote the local economy.
