The presence of Fabaceae in the pollen profile of propolis produced in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Propolis is a resin-like substance composed mainly of resin, wax, essential oils, pollen grains and specific plant parts collected by the honeybee Apis mellifera, which mixes them with fluids they secrete. The components and chemical properties of propolis vary among regions. Therefore, in order assess variation in the botanical composition of propolis, 26 samples of propolis (brown, red, and green) produced throughout northeastern Brazil were analyzed by acetolysis specifically adapted for propolis. In total, 196 pollen types were recorded, representing 123 genera and 47 families, with types of Fabaceae and Rubiaceae being present in 100 % of the samples. Fabaceae was the richest group with 49 pollen types, followed by Malvaceae (10 types), particularly related to the high frequencies of Mimosa pudica (84.62 %), Alternanthera, Borreria verticillata, and Myrcia (80.77 %). Remarkably, 34 % of the pollen types with frequencies above 50 % belonged to Fabaceae, even though this family has been traditionally regarded as less important with regard to propolis production, given that most of its included taxa are classified as polliniferous or nectariferous. Similarity analyses revealed clusters of propolis samples that share pollen types associated with plants having apiculture potential.

Palynological Analyses of Malatya Propolis Samples

“…The genus is widespread in Malatya and has 13 taxa including 4 endemic (Karakuş 2016;Tosyagülü Çelik and Kaya 2017). Fabaceae members also dominant in Brazilian propolis samples (Avelino and Santos 2018). Carduus (Asteraceae) has 4 taxa in Malatya and C. nutans subsp.…”

Perspectives for Uses of Propolis in Therapy against Infectious Diseases

“…In fact, these quotations are misleading; no quantification has ever been performed, for example, about the contents of pollen in propolis. Moreover, the content of pollen in propolis, around 5% (some authors admit values up to 10%), is an over-exaggeration, because pollen is a propolis contaminant from wind-carried grains [ 17 ], and pollen adhered to the bodies of the laborer bees. Propolis has no “typical” composition; on the contrary, it is well known to vary widely from one type to another and from region to region [ 18 ].…”

Estudos de estabilidade do artepelin C, do ácido p-cumárico e avaliação das atividades antimicrobiana, antiparasitária e citotóxica dos produtos de degradação majoritários

“…Devido ao grande interesse de outros países pela própolis verde brasileira, aproximadamente 75% da produção brasileira deste produto apícola são exportados, principalmente para o Japão (Avelino & dos Santos, 2018). O interesse do Japão pela própolis verde é justificado tanto pelo consumo, sendo um dos exemplos mais relevantes o uso desta como auxiliar no tratamento de câncer; como pelas pesquisas japonesas relacionadas principalmente à composição química e às atividades biológicas deste tipo de própolis, destacando-se os estudos com o artepelin C (Toreti et al, 2013;Urushisaki et al, 2011).…”