Composition and functional properties of propolis (bee glue): A review

• Published in: Saudi journal of biological sciences Vol. 26; no. 7; pp. 1695 - 1703
• Main Authors: Anjum, Syed Ishtiaq, Ullah, Amjad, Khan, Khalid Ali, Attaullah, Mohammad, Khan, Hikmatullah, Ali, Hussain, Bashir, Muhammad Amjad, Tahir, Muhammad, Ansari, Mohammad Javed, Ghramh, Hamed A., Adgaba, Nuru, Dash, Chandra Kanta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Elsevier B.V 01.11.2019; Saudi Biological Society; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antimicrobial activities; Biomedical applications; Chemical composition; Physical properties; Propolis; الآثار الفسيولوجية; التخليق الكيميائي; الطب الشعبي; العكبر; Chemical composition; Biomedical applications; Antimicrobial activities; Physical properties; Propolis
• ISSN: 1319-562X; 2213-7106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.08.013

Propolis is a natural substance collected by honey bees from various plants such as, poplar, palm, pine, conifer secretions, gums, resins, mucilage and leaf buds. It is collected and brought very painstakingly by honey bees to be used for sealing cracks and crevices occurring in their hives. Originally, it as an antiseptic meant for preventing bee-hive from microbial infections along with preventing decomposition of intruders. Additionally, propolis has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The biological characteristics of propolis depend upon its chemical composition, plant sources, geographical zone and seasons. More than 300 compounds have been identified in propolis such as, phenolic compounds, aromatic acids, essential oils, waxes and amino acids. Many scientific articles are published every year in different international journals, and several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the chemical compounds and biological activity of propolis.