Some propolis specimens from specific locations of California and Oregon have been collected fall 2010 and characterized by different chromatographic techniques. The main botanical origin of all the specimens is Populus balsamifera. Nevertheless, a deeper analysis of data and the use of principal component analysis revealed features that distinguish the specimens. These differences can be ascribed to other resins that bees mix with the one from balsam poplar. The most important difference pertains to allergen content. Some esters present in propolis may induce reaction in a fraction of users that may arrive to 5% of the total. The differences in specimens composition are thus quite significant in terms of pharmaceutical use of propolis from these regions, because they may induce allergic reactions of different strength. Further studies will be needed on local flora and tree resins to more precisely assess the origin of these significant composition differences.

Chromatographic characterization of propolis specimens from California and Oregon

245th National Meeting (2013)

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