The effect of different drying techniques on the chemical profile of Api̇s mellifera (honey bee) venom

Bee venom is a valuable substance known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, containing components such as melittin, apamin, histamine, and various biologically active peptides. Due to these properties, bee venom holds significant potential for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries. However, given the sensitivity of its components to heat and environmental conditions, selecting appropriate drying methods to preserve the venom's efficacy is critically important. Improper drying processes can reduce the biological activity of the venom, leading to degradation of essential components like melittin. In this study, the efficiency of three different drying methods—standard drying, lyophilization, and infrared (IR) oven drying—was evaluated to maintain the biological activity of bee venom. During the IR drying process, three types of IR lamps (IR-A, IR-B, and IR-C) were used. The bee venom samples obtained after drying were analyzed for moisture content, melittin concentration, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The findings indicated that the most effective drying method was IR oven drying under the IR-B lamp. Samples dried with IR-B showed low moisture content, high melittin levels, and exhibited strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. FTIR and SEM analyses supported these findings, confirming that the IR-B lamp provides optimal drying conditions for bee venom. This thesis contributes to biomaterial preparation and processing by identifying the most suitable drying method to preserve the biological activity of bee venom. November 2024, 110 pages Keywords: Apis mellifera, Apitherapy, Bee Venom, IR Drying, Lyophilization, HPLC