CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

The aim of this review is to provide overall information on Argentine propolis and to shedlight on its potential, especially the one from the Monte region so as to support future research inthe field. Around 1999, the Argentine propolis began to be chemically and functionally characterizedto give it greater added value. Because Argentina has a wide plant biodiversity, it is expectedthat its propolis will have various botanical origins, and consequently, a different chemical composition.To date, five types have been defined. Based on their functionality, several products havebeen developed for use in human and veterinary medicine and in animal and human food. Becausethe Argentine propolis with the greatest potential is that of the Monte eco-region, this review willdescribe the findings of the last 20 years on this propolis, its botanical source (Zuccagnia punctataCav.), its chemical composition, and a description of markers of chemical quality (chalcones) andfunctionality. Propolis can regulate the activity of various pro-inflammatory enzymes and carbohydrateand lipid metabolism enzymes, as well as remove reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Consequently, it can modulate metabolic syndrome and could be used as a functional ingredient infood. Furthermore, hydroalcoholic extracts can act against human and animal pathogenic bacteriaand human yeast, and mycelial pathogenic fungi. The ability to stop the growth of post-harvestpathogenic bacteria and fungi was also demonstrated. For this reason, Argentine propolis are natural products capable of protecting crops and increasing the lifespan of harvested fruit and vegetables.Several reports indicate the potential of Argentine propolis to be used in innovative productsto improve health, food preservation, and packaging. However, there is still much to learn aboutthese natural products to make a wholesome use of them.

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