Metabolomic profiling and bioactive potential of Tetragonula gressitti and Lepidotrigona flavibasis propolis

The metabolism of two stingless bee propolis revealed a high flavonoids content. • Isorhamnetin was main compound in Lepidotrigona flavibasis propolis (LFP). • Eriodictyol was main metabolite in Tetragonula gressitti propolis (TGP). • LFP exhibited stronger antioxidant activity compared to TGP. • LFP demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory potential. Propolis composition and bioactivity reflect bee species and local flora, yet comparative data from stingless bees in China are scarce. We combined physicochemical profiling, UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics, and in vitro assays to compare Tetragonula gressitti propolis (TGP) and Lepidotrigona flavibasis propolis (LFP). LFP showed higher loss on drying and beeswax fraction but lower ash content compared with TGP. We detected 768 metabolites in TGP and 841 metabolites in LFP, with species-specific enrichment of flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, and isoflavonoid pathways. Quantification revealed elevated isorhamnetin in LFP (up to 4643.75 μg/g in 70% ethanol). 70% ethanolic extracts of LFP had higher total phenolics/flavonoids, stronger antioxidant activity (ABTS IC 50 68.76 μg/mL; FRAP 199.00 μmol TE/g), and greater suppression of LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Although these in vitro findings require in vivo validation, they reveal pronounced chemical and functional differences between the two propolis types and highlight LFP as a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential for functional food applications. Download: Download high-res image (160KB) Download: Download full-size image