Planta Med 2008; 74 - PC60
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084578

Chemical composition of 10 selected samples of Mediterranean propolis

M Popova 1, K Graikou 2, V Bankova 1, I Chinou 2
  • 1Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl.9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
  • 2Division of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece

Chemical analyses of 10 Mediterranean propolis samples were performed by GC/MS (before and after silylation), by HPLC and modern spectral means. According to the GC/MS results and chromatographic comparisons, the studied propolis samples could be classified in two groups. The first group, samples from Croatia, Algeria, Greece (island of Evia) and Cyprus showed similar chemical composition. In this group, large amounts of esters of phenolic acids (benzyl, phenylethyl and pentenyl caffeates) and flavonoids (pinocembrin, pinobanksin, pinobanksin-3-O-acetate, galangin) were detected. These constituents are typical for propolis from temperate zones having Populus spp. as plant sources [1]. The second group included propolis samples from South Greece (Mani, Epidavros, Andros) and Crete (Sfakia, Zaros, Chania). In these samples diterpenes (totarol, 13-epi-manool, isoagatholal, agathadiol, communic acid, junicedric acid, 13-epi-cupressic acid, isocupressic acid) were identified as major constituents, while phenolic components were found in traces only. Previously, diterpenes have been found in propolis samples from North-West Greece [2] and Italy (Sicily) [3]. These findings confirm the presence of other propolis plant sources in Mediterranean region, mainly from conifer trees which as a matter of fact, deserves further attention as well as chemical investigation.

Acknowledgements: Partial financial support of this work by the Ministry of Education and Sciences, Bulgaria (Contract # PD-3) is gratefully acknowledged.

References: 1. Bankova, V., et al. (2000) Apidologie 31:3–15. 2. Melliou, E., et al. (2004) Planta Medica 70:1–5. 3. Trusheva, B. et al. (2003) Rivista Italiana 3–7.