Journal of Food Bioactives, ISSN 2637-8752 print, 2637-8779 online
Journal website www.isnff-jfb.com

Review

Volume 18, June 2022, pages 77-84

Health from the hive: therapeutic potential of propolis–a review

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Medicinal properties of propolis.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Therapeutic benefits of propolis for human health.

Tables

Table 1. Major bioactive compound found in Propolis
 
PropolisMajor bioactive compoundsTherapeutic propertiesReferences
Populus spp Ferula spp.Rutin, Apinegin, Genistein, Catechol, Catechin, Esculetin, TectochrysinAntioxidant, reduce the symptoms of menopause and control blood glucoseEl-Guendouz et al., 2019
Poplar spp. Mediterranean cypressCatechin, Quercetin, Rutin, Acacetin, Apigenin, Pinocembrin, Chrysin, KaempferolAntioxidant, support blood circulationChaa et al., 2019
Rosewood, FabaceaeQuercetin, Naringenin, Isorhamnetin, Quercetin 3-OdiglucosideControl blood sugar, kill cancer cells, prevent heart disease, anti-myocardial ischemiaSilva et al., 2019
Heterotrigona itama, Geniotrigona thoracicaPhenolics and flavonoidsAntioxidants anti-inflammation, anti-viral properties.Ibrahim et al., 2016
Poplar typePinocembrin, galangin and phenolic acids.Anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-microbial, anti-mutagenic, antioxidantRistivojević et al., 2015
Mangifera typeCardols, cardanols, anacardic acidAntioxidant, antimutagenic and anti tumoral activityPopova et al., 2021
Brazilian PropolisSesquiterpenes, benezene propanoic acids and longipineneAnti-cancer, anti plasmodial and anti-inflammatory activitiesBerretta et al., 2017
European propolisFlavonoids, cinnamic acidAnti oxidant and anti inflammatory propertiesAlotaibi et al., 2019
Russian PropolisFlavones and flavonolsAnti-inflammatory effects, prevent the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer etcMiguel and Antunes, 2011
Cuban propolisPrenylated benzophenones, propolones A–D, clusianone, hyperibone B, garcinielliptone I, xanthochymol, and guttiferoneAnti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer propertiesPardo Andreu et al., 2015
Red propolisFlavonoids, benzophenones, pterocarpens, triterpenesAntifungal, antiviral, cytotoxic, anti-HIVRufatto et al., 2017
Mediterranean typeTotarol, terpenic acids, ferruginolAnti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-microbialBankova et al., 2016

 

Table 2. Composition of propolis
 
Chemical compositionPercentagePropertiesReferences
Plant resins50%Resin is a substance produced by trees that drips from their branches and trunks in the spring. The bees collect plant resins in the hive, modify them, and utilise them as a sealer, polisher, cleaner, and mummifier of dead insects in the hive.Ahangari et al., 2018
Waxes30%It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities.Tinto et al., 2017
Organic substances5%n-alkanes, n-alkenes, n-alkanals, and methyl n-alkanoates were the most common chemicals found.Alqarni et al., 2015
Pollens5%Pollens contain more than 96 different nutrients. Rich in amino acids, hormones, vitamins, minerals.Ahangari et al., 2018

 

Table 3. Propolis extracts and its current strategies for use in food technology
 
Current strategiesApplicationsReferences
Mixing with foodAntimicrobial, total bacterial, staphylococcus, and listeria counts are reduced. Reduction in the number of spoiling bacteria and yeast. Example–fish, meat, milk, fruit juice.Pobiega et al., 2019a
Soaking and washing of foodAntioxidant in fruits. Antimicrobial–reduction of yeast and molds contamination. Reduction of total bacterial count. Improve quality, delayed ripening. Reduction of water loss, maintaining firmness. Example–fruits, juices etcPobiega et al., 2019a
Active Packaging filmNontoxic, bio-degradable, biopolymer based packaging. Example–beef, fruits etcYong and Liu, 2021

 

Table 4. Effects of propolis on food products
 
Food productPropolisEffect of propolisReferences
Non-carbonated soft drinksPropolis green extractIncrease the bioactivity of the product.Vasilaki et al., 2019
Dairy drinksPropolis extractAct as natural preservatives.El-Guendouz et al., 2019
Meat productsPropolis extractInhibit the growth of food borne pathogen.Pobiega et al., 2019b
Fresh juicesPropolis water extractReduce the number of noroviral genome.Liao et al., 2021
FishEthonal extract of PropolisIncrease the shelf life of the fishPayandan et al., 2017
Chewing gumPropolis extractReduce the pathogenic microbial loadZulhendri et al., 2022
BeveragesPropolis extractInhibit the fungal growth and degradation of ascorbic acidVasilaki et al., 2019
Craft beerPropolis extractIncrease the anti-oxidant valueUlloa et al., 2017
Orange juicePropolis extractinhibit bacterial growth, degradation of L-ascorbic acidYang et al., 2017