Bioactive signatures of native forest honeys from Northeastern Brazil: linking botanical origin, chemical composition, and in vitro biological effects

Honey is a natural product valued for its nutritional and therapeutic properties, which are largely attributed to its chemical compounds. This study evaluated the pollen analysis, the color, the minerals, the volatile compounds, the phenolic composition and antioxidant-related phytochemicals of four honey samples collected from a preserved native forest region in Brazil, an area characterized by minimal anthropogenic impact and significant potential for sustainable beekeeping. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), spectrophotometric methods, and volatile compounds were conducted by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and individual polyphenols were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), respectively. The results revealed considerable variation among the honey samples. The predominance of phenolic acids and flavonoids confirms the rich phytochemical composition of these honeys and demonstrates that their chemical profiles are strongly influenced by botanical origin. The findings highlight the high quality of honey produced in this preserved Brazilian ecosystem and support its potential as a valuable natural product with promising antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of conserving native forests to promote sustainable apiculture and the production of authentic, contamination-free honey.