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Open AccessArticle
Chemical Markers in Italian Propolis: Chrysin, Galangin and CAPE as Indicators of Geographic Origin
by
Elisabetta Miraldi
Elisabetta Miraldi 1,
Giorgio Cappellucci
Giorgio Cappellucci 1,2,*,
Giulia Baini
Giulia Baini 1,2,
Elia Silvia Pistone
Elia Silvia Pistone 2,
Marika Allodi
Marika Allodi 3,
Gabriele Costantino
Gabriele Costantino 3,
Chiara Spaggiari
Chiara Spaggiari 3,* and
Marco Biagi
Marco Biagi 2,3
1
Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Laterina, 8, 53100 Siena, Italy
2
SIFITLab, Italian Society of Phytotherapy, Via Laterina, 8, 53100 Siena, Italy
3
Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma (Department of Excellence 2023–2027), Parco Area delle Scienze, 43124 Parma, Italy
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Plants 2024, 13(19), 2734; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13192734 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 4 September 2024
/
Revised: 23 September 2024
/
Accepted: 26 September 2024
/
Published: 29 September 2024
Abstract
Knowledge of the chemical composition of propolis is crucial for understanding the characteristics of products of different origins, but also for quality control and regulatory purposes. To date, official monographs or official analyses that allow researchers to evaluate propolis in a proper way have not yet been released. This study focuses on the characterization of twenty-seven Italian propolis samples and the identification of chemical markers that define its geographical provenance. Total polyphenol (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) content, alongside the quantification of pinocembrin, chrysin, galangin, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), were identified as potential markers. Additionally, DPPH assays were conducted to evaluate the antiradical activity of propolis samples. Our findings demonstrated that TPs, TFs and pinocembrin differed in propolis of different origins, especially in samples from the islands. However, the quantification of the sum of chrysin and galangin and CAPE provided a clearer distinction of the geographical origin of the propolis samples. In contrast, the DPPH assay did not prove useful for this purpose, as most results were similar and, therefore, not significant. This study lays the groundwork for future research on propolis. These findings could contribute to the development of more refined methods for distinguishing propolis origins, enhancing the understanding, valuation and quality control of this natural product in various applications.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Miraldi, E.; Cappellucci, G.; Baini, G.; Pistone, E.S.; Allodi, M.; Costantino, G.; Spaggiari, C.; Biagi, M.
Chemical Markers in Italian Propolis: Chrysin, Galangin and CAPE as Indicators of Geographic Origin. Plants 2024, 13, 2734.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13192734
AMA Style
Miraldi E, Cappellucci G, Baini G, Pistone ES, Allodi M, Costantino G, Spaggiari C, Biagi M.
Chemical Markers in Italian Propolis: Chrysin, Galangin and CAPE as Indicators of Geographic Origin. Plants. 2024; 13(19):2734.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13192734
Chicago/Turabian Style
Miraldi, Elisabetta, Giorgio Cappellucci, Giulia Baini, Elia Silvia Pistone, Marika Allodi, Gabriele Costantino, Chiara Spaggiari, and Marco Biagi.
2024. "Chemical Markers in Italian Propolis: Chrysin, Galangin and CAPE as Indicators of Geographic Origin" Plants 13, no. 19: 2734.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13192734
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