Phytochemical, Morphological, and Biological Investigations of Propolis from Central Chile

Abstract

Propolis from Central Chile was investigated for its plant origin by microscopical analysis of pollen grains and leaf fragments found in the sample. The pollen grains that appear with significant higher frequency in the sample corresponded to four native and two introduced species, whereas leaf fragments corresponded to four native species. Seventeen phenolic com pounds that belong to the phenylpropane, benzaldehyde, dihydrobenzofuran, or benzopyran classes, were isolated from an organic extract that was found to have a moderate growth inhibitory activity against M ycobacterium avium , M. tuberculosis, and two strains of S taphylo coccus aureus. The components responsible for activity were determined.

Phenolic Compounds of Propolis from Central Chilean Matorral

“…In contrast with propolis from Santa Cruz, Quebrada Yaquil (Valcic et al, 1999), rich in lignane, in this study we report many flavanone, flavones, and flavonols.…”

“…For example, the plant spe cies, Baccharis linearis, shows five phenolic com pounds found in the propolis obtained in the study site (Valcic et al, 1999).…”

Analysis of a Brazilian green propolis from Baccharis dracunculifolia by HPLC-APCI-MS and GC-MS

“…Some of these new techniques were recently employed on propolis analysis (Valcic et al, 1999;Midorikawa et al, 2001;Pietta et al, 2002;Kumazawa et al, 2003).…”

Propolis from Chilean Matorral Hives

“…Additional compounds were estab lished by direct comparison with authentic sam ples by TLC and NMR. Viscidone and vanillin, were previously found in samples of propolis from Santa Cruz, Chile (34°24' S-71°28 W) (Valcic et al, 1999). Bees use sticky, resinous, dark-yellowish to light brownish m aterial to fill cracks and crevice; reduce or close openings to the outside; to strengthen and join the cells, and to seal their hives from penetration of water.…”