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Insight on Propolis from Mediterranean Countries: Chemical Composition, Biological Activities and Application Fields
Author(s) -
ElGuendouz Soukaina,
Lyoussi Badiaa,
Miguel Maria G.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistry and biodiversity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.427
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1612-1880
pISSN - 1612-1872
DOI - 10.1002/cbdv.201900094
Subject(s) - propolis , chemistry , mediterranean climate , chemical composition , sesquiterpene , composition (language) , terpene , fraction (chemistry) , camphor , botany , food science , traditional medicine , organic chemistry , ecology , biology , medicine , linguistics , philosophy
This review updates the information upon the chemical composition of propolis from all Mediterranean countries as well as their biological properties and applications. The non‐volatile fraction of propolis was characterized by the presence of phenolic acids and their esters and flavonoids. Nevertheless, in some countries, diterpenes were also present: Sicily (Italy), Croatia, Malta, Creta (Greece), Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Libya, Algeria and Morocco. The volatile fraction of propolis was characterized by the presence of benzoic acid and its esters, mono‐ and sesquiterpenes, being the oxygenated sesquiterpene β ‐eudesmol characteristic of poplar propolis, whereas the hydrocarbon monoterpene α ‐pinene has been related with the presence of conifers. Regardless the chemical composition, there are common biological properties attributed to propolis. Owing to these attributes, propolis has been target of study for applications in diverse areas, such as food, medicine and livestock.