Quantitative and Qualitative Variations in Propolis Collection
Öz
Propolis is a natural material that
honeybees produce from resinous secretions of the plants and wax. It is used
from bees to protect their hive from adverse external conditions and pathogens.
Because of the bioactive compounds included in propolis, it is used as therapeutic
agent. The medical applications of this bee hive product led to an increased
interest in its production and chemical composition. In this research, propolis
samples collected during the whole active beekeeping period for three years and
the variations caused to season and type of collection investigated. Parameters
such as the yield per hive, the wax content, the dry matter, the total phenols
and antioxidant activity of the extracts were evaluated. The results showed a
strong seasonal variation, with the maximum production have been recorded
between May and July. Bees collect/produce more propolis during the warm
periods of the year because of the viscosity of the resins. When they need more product, bees cover the
scarcity of the resinous material using more wax. Quantitative and qualitative
variations were found between the two different propolis traps and among bee
hives in the same apiary. Moreover, propolis samples were collected from
different regions of Greece and the antioxidant activity and total phenolic
content of their alcoholic extracts were compared. High variance in the studied
parameters was observed among the samples. The collection and quality of
propolis is related to the local flora as well as to the beekeeping practices.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Kaynakça
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