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What is Propolis?
Propolis is a substance honeybees make by combining their secretion with resin collected from plants. A compound word consisting of the ancient Greek terms 'pro' (front) and 'polis' (city), propolis means a fortress defending a city. In fact, honeybees use this propolis to fill up crack in their home beehive or safeguard it against any harmful intruders from outside.
Classes
Substances
(R. Krell, FAO, 1996)
Resin: 45-55%
Phenolics, Flavonids
Cinnamic acid, Coumaric acid, Caffeic acid, Ferulic acid,
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester...
Chysin, Galangin, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Pinocembrin...
Wax: 25-35%
Beeswax substances
most are usually from bees wax, but many are of plant origin
Essential oils: 10%
Volatiles
Mono- and Sesquiterpenes
Pollen: 5%
Proteins probably from pollen,
free amino acids; arginine, proline together make up
Other organics
and minerals: 5%
Mineral carbohydrates
Fe, Zn, Ca, Mn, Se, Si, Cu etc.
Ketones, lactones, quinones, steroids, vitamins, B3
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