Quantitative and Qualitative Variations in Propolis Collection

Propolis is a natural material thathoneybees produce from resinous secretions of the plants and wax. It is usedfrom bees to protect their hive from adverse external conditions and pathogens.Because of the bioactive compounds included in propolis, it is used as therapeuticagent. The medical applications of this bee hive product led to an increasedinterest in its production and chemical composition. In this research, propolissamples collected during the whole active beekeeping period for three years andthe variations caused to season and type of collection investigated. Parameterssuch as the yield per hive, the wax content, the dry matter, the total phenolsand antioxidant activity of the extracts were evaluated. The results showed astrong seasonal variation, with the maximum production have been recordedbetween May and July. Bees collect/produce more propolis during the warmperiods of the year because of the viscosity of the resins. When they need more product, bees cover thescarcity of the resinous material using more wax. Quantitative and qualitativevariations were found between the two different propolis traps and among beehives in the same apiary. Moreover, propolis samples were collected fromdifferent regions of Greece and the antioxidant activity and total phenoliccontent of their alcoholic extracts were compared. High variance in the studiedparameters was observed among the samples. The collection and quality ofpropolis is related to the local flora as well as to the beekeeping practices.