EFFECTS OF HIVE SIZES AND MESH MATERIALS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF PROPOLIS PRODUCED BY TETRAGONULA LAEVICEPS

Abstract

Propolis and honey are bioproducts produced by Tetragonula laeviceps, a stingless bee species. Both products have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties. Modular Tetragonula hives of different sizes were used in the cultivation of T. laeviceps to increase the productivity of propolis while maintaining the sustainability of the bee colonies. This study was carried out in Jatinangor, West Java, Indonesia, with three size variations: small (21 × 18 × 14 cm), medium (26 × 22 ×17 cm), and large (30 × 26 × 17 cm). Each hive was equipped with a mesh of a different material. The results obtained in this study showed that increasing the hive’s size increases the productivity of propolis. The highest productivity of propolis (2.53 ± 0.37 g/colony/week) was obtained when T. laeviceps was cultivated in large hives equipped with a nylon-based mesh. The highest productivity of honey (0.78 ± 0.18 g/colony/week) was obtained when T. laeviceps was cultivated in medium hives equipped with an aluminum-based mesh. The harvested propolis was extracted using a maceration method. Total flavonoid and phenolic content of the propolis solution lies in the range of 1.77 ± 0.86 to 3.18 ± 1.43 mg QE/g propolis and 32.23 ± 14.09 to 112.13 ± 47.64 mg GAE/g propolis, respectively. The harvested honey had a water content of 21.86%, with 72.86% reducing sugar, 192.86 ?g/mL vitamin C, and 2613.41 ?g/mL of antioxidant content. ABSTRAK: Propolis dan madu adalah produk bio yang dihasilkan oleh Tetragonula laeviceps, spesies lebah kelulut. Kedua-dua produk mempunyai ciri anti-radang, anti-mikrob dan antibakteria. Sarang Tetragonula modular dengan saiz yang berbeza digunakan dalam mengusahakan T. laeviceps bagi meningkatkan produktiviti propolis sambil mengekalkan kemampanan koloni lebah. Kajian ini dijalankan di Jatinangor, Jawa Barat, Indonesia, dengan tiga variasi saiz: kecil (21×18×14 cm), sederhana (26×22×17 cm), dan besar (30×26×17 cm). Setiap sarang dilengkapi dengan jaringan bahan yang berbeza. Dapatan kajian yang diperolehi melalui kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa penambahan saiz sarang dapat meningkatkan produktiviti propolis. Produktiviti tertinggi propolis (2.53±0.37 g/koloni/minggu) diperoleh apabila T. laeviceps dibela dalam sarang besar yang dilengkapi dengan jaring berasaskan nilon. Produktiviti madu tertinggi (0.78±0.18 g/koloni/minggu) diperoleh apabila T. laeviceps diusahakan dalam sarang sederhana yang dilengkapi dengan jaring berasaskan aluminium. Propolis yang dituai telah diekstrak menggunakan kaedah maserasi. Jumlah kandungan flavonoid dan kandungan fenolik larutan propolis berada dalam julat 1.77 ± 0.86 hingga 3.18 ± 1.43 mg QE/g propolis dan 32.23 ± 14.09 hingga 112.13 ± 47.64 mg GAE/g propolis, masing-masing. Madu yang dituai mempunyai kandungan air 21.86%, dengan 72.86% penurunan gula, 192.86 ?g/mL vitamin C, dan 2613.41 ?g/mL kandungan antioksidan.