Comparative analysis of volatile compound profiles of propolis from different provenances

MOHTAR, LINA G; RODRÍGUEZ, SERGIO A; NAZARENO, MÓNICA A

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD

Año: 2018

0022-5142

BACKGROUND: Propolis is a complex mixture that honey bees produce from the exudates of various plants and presents manymedicinal properties. Its chemical composition varies according to the phytogeography characteristics of each region, amongothers. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in Venezuelanpropolis and compare with reference samples such as Brazilian and Argentinian propolis.RESULTS: A total of 90 VOCswere identified in a series of propolis samples using both solid-phase microextraction and dynamicheadspace (DHS), both coupled to a gas chromatograph?electron ionization mass spectrometer. In the case of Venezuelanpropolis, sesquiterpenes, esters, aromatic compounds, and aliphatic hydrocarbonswere identified. Limonenewas found only inVenezuelan samples, this being the first time it has been identified in samples from this country. In the case of green propolis,𝜷-caryophyllene and nerolidol were themajor compounds. As for the Argentinian samples, prenyl acetate, benzyl acetate, and2-phenylethyl acetate were detected only in these samples.CONCLUSIONS: Possible chemical markers of natural sources such as limonene were detected using DHS extraction. Severalcompounds have also been identified for the first time in Venezuelan propolis. Cluster analysis allowed the relating of thepropolis VOCs profile to their provenance.