Emerald Honey from Stinging Bee in Narathiwat Shows Antioxidant and Anti-Cancer Properties

Key summary

Researchers at Nara Thammarachathirat University (Narathiwat) report the development of emerald-colored honey produced by stingless bees (*Apis dorsata*) feeding on *Canarium luzonicum* (white canarium) flowers in peat forest areas. The project, funded by the Research and Innovation Acceleration Office for Area Development (RDA), initially targeted impoverished households in southern border provinces. After training 175 households, participants' annual income increased from 30,000 to 54,000 baht. Analysis using mass spectrometry revealed over 200 compounds in the emerald honey compared to about 30 in the flower nectar, with potential active ingredients including lumichrome and spemidine. Laboratory tests indicated the honey could induce apoptosis and inhibit the spread of cancer cells in lung, colon, cervical, breast, and liver cell lines, though human clinical trials are not yet conducted. The product is currently sold domestically as it does not meet Codex standards for export.