Types Of Bee Propolis

Propolis, also known as 'bee glue' is a resinous mixture comprising resins gathered by honey bees from different parts of plants (e.g., buds and twigs) then mixed with beeswax and salivary enzymes (β-glucosidase, α/β-amylase, maltase, esterase, etc¹.

Types Of Propolis

The properties of bee propolis differ, particularly depending on the plant source of the resin. Here we will compare 8 different types of propolis, plus four originating in Brazil (adapted from Magnavacca et al 2021¹).

1. Poplar propolis

Geographical origin:
Europe, North America, temperate regions of Asia (e.g., China).

Plant origin:
Populus  (e.g. P. nigra L.)

Components and chemical markers:
Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and their esters – Pinocembrin, chrysin, galangin, pinobanksin, pinobanksin 3-acetate.
Notes: Flavinoids help protect against toxins.

2. Aspen propolis

Geographical origin:
Northern regions of Europe.

Plant origin:
Populus tremula L.

Components and chemical markers:
p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, benzoic acid, benzyl p-coumarate, benzyl ferulate, glycerol esters of substituted cinnamic acids (phenolic glycerides).
Notes: Ferulic acid is sometimes found in anti-aging serums. Benzoic acid has anti-fungal properties.

3. Birch propolis

Geographical origin:
Northern region of Europe.

Plant origin:
Betula pendula Roth

Components and chemical markers:
Flavones and flavonols (different from those of poplar propolis).
Notes: Flavones are widely present in leaves, and are the primary pigments in white- and cream-colored flower. Epidemiological evidence suggests beneficial effects in cardiovascular and neuropathological diseases².

4. Mediterranean propolis

Geographical origin:
Mediterranean region of Europe.

Plant origin:
Cupressus sempervirens L.

Components and chemical markers:
Diterpenes – isocupressic acid, pimaric acid, agathadiol, isoagatholal, totarol. N.B. Usually does not contain flavonoids and phenolic acids.
Notes: Diterpenes are known to be antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory³. 

5. Canarian type propolis

Geographical origin:
Canary Islands.

Plant origin:
Unknown.

Components and chemical markers:
Furofuran lignanes
Notes: Furofuran lignanes exhibit a wide range of significant biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities⁴.

6. Pacific propolis

Geographical origin:
Taiwan, Okinawa, Hawaii, Indonesia.

Plant origin:
Macaranga tanarius (L.) Müll. Arg.

Components and chemical markers:
Prenylated flavanones (propolins).
Notes: Prenylated flavanones are a sub-class of flavonoids that demonstrate anti-oxidant activity⁶. 

7. Mangifera indica propolis

Geographical origin:
Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand.

Plant origin:
Mangifera indica L.

Components and chemical markers:
Phenolic lipids (cardanols, cardols, anacardic acid derivatives).
Notes: Phenolic lipids are fats & oils.

8. Caribbean propolis

Geographical origin:
Cuba, Venezuela.

Plant origin:
Clusia spp.

Components and chemical markers:
Polyprenylated benzophenones – Nemorosone, guttiferone E

9. Brazilian propolis - 4 types

Geographical origins:
Panama, Bahia State, São Paulo State, Alagoas State.

Plant origin:
Populus spp.; 
Hyptis divaricata Pohl ex Benth;  
Baccharis dracunculifolia DC, 
Dalbergia ecastaphyllum(L.) Taub.

Components and chemical markers:

• Populus spp.: Mainly flavonoids – Chrysin, pinocembrin, pinobanksin, apigenin, galangin.
• Hyptis divaricata Pohl ex Benth: Prenylated benzophenones
• Baccharis dracunculifolia DC: Prenylated phenolic acids and flavonoids – Artepillin C, drupanin, p-coumaric acid, dihydrocinnamic acid.
• Dalbergia ecastaphyllum(L.) Taub: Isoflavans, pterocarpans, and chalcones – Vestitol, neovestitol, 7-O-methylvestitol, medicarpin, formononetin, daidzein.
  
  

Resources

1. Magnavacca, Andrea, Enrico Sangiovanni, Giorgio Racagni and Mario Dell’Agli. “The antiviral and immunomodulatory activities of propolis: An update and future perspectives for respiratory diseases.” Medicinal Research Reviews 42 (2021): 897 - 945.

2. Federico Dajas, in Bioactive Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements in Neurological and Brain Disease, 2015

3. Diterpene - Wikipedia

4. Wen-Hui Xu, Ping Zhao, Meng Wang & Qian Liang (2019) Naturally occurring furofuran lignans: structural diversity and biological activities, Natural Product Research, 33:9, 1357-1373, DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2018.1474467

5. Santos CMM, Silva AMS. The Antioxidant Activity of Prenylflavonoids. Molecules. 2020 Feb 6;25(3):696. doi: 10.3390/molecules25030696. PMID: 32041233; PMCID: PMC7037609.

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