Italian propolis composition in term of geographical origin

Italian’s Propolis is a product rich in flavonoid aglycones (flavones and flavanones), phenolic acids and esters of phenolic acids. This composition is characteristic for propolis produced in Europe. However, Italy is marked by three prevailing climatic zones : Mountain, Continental and Maritime which select areas with different flora and consequent botanical plant sources. Poplar’s buds are known to be the main source of propolis for honey bees, but poplar trees do not grow at high altitude where there are mainly deciduous beech forests or coniferous forests and on the other hand along the coast the vegetation is compoused by Mediterranean scrub and shrubs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different composition of propolis from different Italian areas and observe the profile of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Several samples of propolis were collected along Italian's country, including islands, in 2013. It was not been requested to beekeepers a specific way of picking up but only they had to ensure that the hives were of permanent stations in order to correlate closely the samples to the territory of origin. Ethanol extracts of propolis (EPP) was obteined by soxtleth method according to in accordance to argentina regulation IRAM - INTA 15935-1. Samples were previously defined in their resinous percentage composition in relation to the wax and mechanical impurities. The resinous fraction was then analyzed and evaluated. The molecules were chosen in accordance with the data reported in literature, being these the most representative for the European propolis. About twenty molecules of phenolic acids and flavonoids were quantified with the external standard method. Separation and quantification of the compounds was performed by a chromatography with mass spectrometer detector (HPLC-Q/MS-MS ). The analysis on the samples was performed also by spectrophotometric techniques. (Finally, the bioactive properties of resinous extract were Studied also in terms of reducing power and radical scavenging effect). The data were then processed by statistic analysis to identify groups and connections with the geographical and climatic zone of origin.