Planta Med 2012; 78 - PI465
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321152

Qualitative analysis and biological evaluation of selected propolis samples all over the world

K Graikou 1, M Popova 2, O Gortzi 3, V Bankova 2, I Chinou 1
  • 1Dept. of Pharmacognosy & Chemistry of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
  • 2Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev str. Bl. 9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
  • 3Dept of Food Technologies, Technological Educational Institution of Larissa, Karditsa, Greece

Propolis (bee glue) is a resinous material that bees collect from plants to use it as a protective agent to prevent the spread of microbial in their hives and as construction material. It has been observed that the wide range of biological activities (antimicrobial, antiseptic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, etc) of propolis depends on its chemical composition, more than 300 compounds have been identified in it, which in turn depends on geographical diversity. Due to its very complex chemical constitution and its pharmaceutical and nutraceutical use in market worldwide, it is necessary to characterize the quality of propolis and to guarantee a reproducible quality, in order to ensure a safe use. As a part of a systematic research on different propolis especially from Mediterranean area, we report in this study the chemical analysis of 20 selected propolis samples from all over the world: Europe (Greece-Cyprus-Bulgaria-Croatia-Germany-Poland), Africa (Algeria-Cameroon), Asia (India-China- Kirgizstan) and South America (Brazil-Uruguay). Their antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant potentials were also evaluated showing a very interesting profile.