Propolis: Creating a Buzz as a Natural Preservative

Food Engineering & Ingredients, 5/1/2008

Preservatives are an essential ingredient for most foods and beverages. Despite the effectiveness of synthetic preservatives such as sodium benzoate, consumers are increasingly demanding all-natural ingredients. Natural preservatives are therefore growing in appeal.

Bee propolis, already widely known as a nutritional supplement, may represent an attractive option for food manufacturers seeking natural preservatives as a means to differentiate their products. However, differences in the composition of propolis collected by honey bees from varying regions will mean that suppliers will need to standardise their extracts...