Identity and quality of propolis from four regions of Brazil

Abstract

Propolis is a substance produced by bees from some plant parts, and it has been consumed by the population with therapeutic purposes. Given the lack of data on the propolis commercialized in Brazil, this study aimed at assessing the identity and quality parameters of propolis (moisture, fixed mineral residue, wax, mechanic mass, total phenolics, flavonoids, ethanol-soluble substances, oxidation index, ultraviolet and visible absorption spectra) in samples collected from Brazilian Northeast, Southeast, South and Middle West regions. The found results were compared with those established by the Brazilian legislation, and also among the four regions. Twelve samples collected from the Southeast region and three samples from the Middle West region complied with those limits established by legislation in force. However, noncomplying results were detected in one of 10 samples from the South region and in five of eight samples from the Northeast region. The mean values in samples from the Northeast region were statistically similar to those from the Southeast region in five of eight quantitative parameters: moisture, mechanic mass, oxidation index, total phenolics and flavonoids. Phenolics were the only parameter in which the mean value was statistically equal among the samples from the four regions.