Ninth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

These years, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute is helping beekeepers move the beekeeping bases to the forests that cover more than 60% of total Taiwan island area, and the 800 hectares of Melaleuca leucadendra growing in the Aogu Wetland broadleaf forest is one of the targets. Because of its long flowering period and uniqueness in the market, the economic potential of Taiwanese M. leucadendra honey is optimistically considered. However, there has been still a lack of the M. leucadendra honey-related fundamental/application researches that are essential for its commercialization. Thus, to explore the physicochemical properties and bioactivities of M. leucadendra honey, this research collected the M. leucadendra honey of non-chemical contamination produced in Aogu Wetland as the research sample, and the other two commercial honeys, including the world-famous Manuka honey of New Zealand and Taiwan Longan honey from Da Gangshan, were used as the reference samples. These honey samples were quantified for their total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), methylglyoxal contents (MGO), etc. Also, their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were analyzed. In addition, the M. leucadendra honey was formulated into moisturizer and soap products, and the moisture retention capability and the overall acceptance by consumers were evaluated. The results revealed that the physiochemical and bioactive qualities of Taiwanese M. leucadendra honey were lower than Manuka honey but higher than Longan honey. On the other hand, the moisturizer and soap with M. leucadendra honey ingredient received better market acceptance, which indicated the merchandising possibility and economic potential of M. leucadendra honey.