Abstract: Water extracts and ethanol extracts were prepared from Apiscerana cerana honeycomb and A. mellifera ligustica honeycomb, both of which were used more than one year. The antioxidant activities of the 4 different type extracts were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) assay, while the total phenolic contents of these samples were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method, respectively. Furthermore, the antimicrobial capabilities of the extracts were measured by the paper disc-agar diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results showed that all the 4 types of extracts of honeycomb were capable of scavenging free radicals and inhibiting both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli to some extent and rich in phenolic. Totally speaking, the water extracts perform better than the ethanol extracts in all except the antimicrobial ability againt Escherichia coli. Second, with the exception of the DPPH• scavenging acticity, the A. mellifera ligustica honeycomb over-performs the A. cerana honeycomb. The bioactivities of the extracts of honeycomb show in a concentration-dependent manner. The results partly explained and supported the use of honeycomb in traditional Chinese medicine. Moreover, honeycomb could be potential sources of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial drug.

Key words: Apiscerana cerana honeycomb, A. mellifera ligustica honeycomb, DPPH•, total phenolic contents, antimicrobial ability