Chemical composition of European propolis: expected and unexpected results

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2002 May-Jun;57(5-6):530-3. doi: 10.1515/znc-2002-5-622.

Abstract

Ten propolis samples from Bulgaria, Italy and Switzerland were analyzed by GC-MS. As expected, most samples displayed the typical chemical pattern of "poplar" propolis: they contained pinocembrin, pinobanksin and its 3-O-acetate, chrysin, galangin, prenyl esters of caffeic and ferulic acids. Two samples differed significantly: one from the Graubünden Alpine region, Switzerland, rich in phenolic glycerides, and one from Sicily which contained only a limited number of phenolics and was rich in diterpenic acids.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees
  • Chalcone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Chalcone / analysis
  • Esters / analysis
  • Europe
  • Flavonoids / analysis*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Phenols / analysis*
  • Propolis / chemistry*

Substances

  • Esters
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenols
  • Chalcone
  • Propolis