Abstract
Propolis is a complex honeybee product with resinous aspect, containing plant exudates and beeswax. Their color, texture, and chemical composition vary, depending on the location of the hives and local flora. The most studied Brazilian propolis is the green (alecrim-do-campo) type, which contains mainly prenylated phenylpropanoids and caffeoylquinic acids. Other types of propolis are produced in Brazil, some with red color, others brown, grey, or black. The aim of the present work was to determine the chemical profiles of alcohol and chloroform extracts of eight samples of propolis, corresponding to six Brazilian regions. Methanol and chloroform extracts were obtained and analyzed by HPLC/DAD/ESI/MS and GC/MS. Two chemical profiles were recognized among the samples analyzed: (1) black Brazilian propolis, characterized chiefly by flavanones and glycosyl flavones, stemming from Picos (Piauí state) and Pirenópolis (Goiás state); (2) green Brazilian propolis, characterized by prenylated phenylpropanoids and caffeoylquinic acids, stemming from Cabo Verde (Bahia state), Lavras and Mira Bela (Minas Gerais state), Pariquera-Açu and Bauru (São Paulo state), and Ponta Grossa (Paraná state). The present work represents the first report of prenylated flavonoids in Brazilian propolis and schaftoside (apigenin-8-C-glucosyl-6-C-arabinose) in green propolis.
Highlights
Propolis is a resinous hive product containing bee secretions and plant resins
It is known that the amount of phenolic and flavonoid constituents varies widely according to propolis types and seasonal factors [24, 28]
The main constituents found in the Pirenopolis sample were flavone-C-glycosides, prenyl flavonols, and rhamnetin, while in the propolis sample from Cabo Verde only flavone-C-glycosides and a minor content of caffeoylquinic derivatives were detected
Summary
Propolis is a resinous hive product containing bee secretions and plant resins. The wide diversity of plant species used by bees as resin sources for propolis production determines its chemical diversity. It has been established that propolis possesses a wide spectrum of biological activities, such as antibacterial [4, 5], anti-inflammatory [6, 7], antioxidant [8, 9], hepatoprotective [10], and antitumoral [11]. The medicinal properties of propolis are due to a large variety of substances of plant origin, acting alone and/or synergistically. The high medicinal value of many propolis constituents stimulates chemical studies of the corresponding plant sources [12]
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