Propolis is a resinous hive product collected by honeybees from plant source. The composition of the propolis depends upon the time, vegetation and the area of collection. Propolis produced by africanized Apis mellifera from south Brazil, Argentine and Uruguay have been investigated using chromatographic techniques. In accordance with results RP-HPTLC, RP-HPLC, and GC-MS, propolis from south Brazil were classified IN 5 groups. Based on chemical evidence Populus alba was shown to be the main propolis source of group 3 from south Brazil, Argentine and Uruguay.
propolis; botanical origin; Populus alba; phenolic compounds
