Phytochem Anal, 2013 May 14
INTRODUCTION:
Propolis is a complex mixture of natural sticky, gummy and
resinous components produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) from plant
materials. However, phytochemical data of the Andalusian (southern Spain)
propolis are scant.
OBJECTIVE:
The primary objectives of this study were to chemically
characterise the compounds and evaluate the anti-oxidant activity found in 28
Andalusian propolis samples.
METHODS:
Ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared and
examined for their anti-oxidant activity by 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic
acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assays. To characterise the phenolic
composition, the presence of 11 compounds was identified by HPLC analysis with
photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection.
RESULTS:
All propolis samples had strong anti-oxidant activity,
accompanied by high total phenolic content. The most abundant compounds were
flavonoids. Concerning the phenolic compounds content, our results showed that
the 75% of the samples analysed contained at least 80 mg/g of flavonoids,
primarily pinobanksin 3-acetate, pinocembrin, chrysin, galangin and
pinobanksin. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester was detected in almost all EEP
samples but in smaller proportions (mean 12.9 ± 2.8 mg/g).
CONCLUSION:
The present investigation constitutes the first
comprehensive report on the phenolics identified in southern Spanish propolis.
The results revealed that the samples tested showed a high scavenging activity
and therefore indicate the possible use of Andalusian propolis as an important
source of natural anti-oxidants.
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