Trehalulose in Kelulut Honey: Why It Matters for Honey Sugar Profiling
Kelulut honey, also known as stingless bee honey or madu kelulut, has a different sugar profile compared with conventional honey. One of the most important sugars associated with kelulut honey is trehalulose.
For kelulut honey producers, food manufacturers, researchers, and functional food developers, trehalulose testing can support product characterisation, honey sugar profile evaluation, and product differentiation.
What is Trehalulose?
Trehalulose is a naturally occurring disaccharide sugar made from glucose and fructose. It is an isomer of sucrose, but its molecular arrangement is different from ordinary table sugar.
Scientific studies have reported trehalulose as a major sugar in stingless bee honey. Fletcher et al. (2020) reported trehalulose levels ranging from 13 to 44 g per 100 g in stingless bee honeys and identified it as a major component of this honey type
Why is Trehalulose Important in Kelulut Honey?
Trehalulose is important because it helps support the characterisation and differentiation of kelulut honey. Compared with conventional honey, kelulut honey may contain a distinctive sugar profile, with trehalulose being one of the key compounds of interest.
Recent research on Malaysian stingless bee honey has also reported trehalulose as a major component, with reported levels of 15.42 to 43.75 g/100 g in selected stingless bee honey samples.
For producers and researchers, trehalulose data can help support:
- Honey sugar profile evaluation
- Kelulut honey characterisation
- Product differentiation
- Research and product development
- Technical documentation for honey-based products
Who Should Consider Trehalulose Testing?
Trehalulose testing may be useful for:
- Kelulut honey producers
- Honey product manufacturers
- Food and beverage companies
- Functional food developers
- SMEs developing honey-based products
- Researchers and universities
Enquire About Trehalulose Testing in Malaysia
If you are producing, developing, or researching kelulut honey products, UNIPEQ can support your honey sugar profile evaluation through relevant laboratory testing.
UNIPEQ Sdn. Bhd.
Tel: +603-8920 8263
WhatsApp: +60 16-738 5430
Email: lab.unipeq@ukm.edu.my / unipeq@ukm.edu.my
References
- Fletcher MT, Hungerford NL, Webber D, Carpinelli de Jesus M, Zhang J, Stone ISJ, Blanchfield JT, Zawawi N. (2020). Stingless bee honey, a novel source of trehalulose: a biologically active disaccharide with health benefits. Sci Rep. 22;10(1):12128.
- Tiang, E.R., Han, L., & Hu, F. (2025). Physicochemical Characteristics, Antioxidant Capacity, and Antimicrobial Activity of Stingless Bee Honey from Malaysia: Heterotrigona itama, Lophotrigona canifrons, and Tetrigona binghami. Foods, 14.
- Ministry of Health Malaysia, Food Safety and Quality Division. P.U.(A) 275/2025: Regulation 130A Madu Kelulut / Stingless Bee Honey.
