Bioactive properties of honeys from stingless bees and Apis mellifera bees in the food industry

Abstract The "medicinal" benefits of honey have been known for thousands of years, being used as an antiseptic, fortifier, soother, healer, laxative, among others. But in addition to its use as a therapeutic, there is evidence that since ancient Rome honey has been used as a food preservative. Currently, the food industry faces several challenges, among which are maintaining the quality and safety characteristics of their products with the minimum addition of artificial ingredients and additives due to the worldwide increase in demand for natural products and functional properties, as well as helping to reduce food loss and thus its ecological footprint. Currently, honey produced by stingless bees has been the subject of research, due to its nutritional value and its bioactive properties of great utility, both in the pharmaceutical industry and in food production. Therefore, a review of published articles describing the potential uses of the bioactive properties of honey, mainly that produced by stingless bees, in the food industry was carried out.