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Propolis is a resinous substance collected from the buds of certain trees by bees and used as a cement or sealant in the construction of their hives. Bees collect propolis from various plants, mostly from tree buds which secrete resinous substances. It can be proved by the similarity of propolis chemical contents and biological properties to the same measurements of buds resinous substances.
Bees use propolis as disinfecting and constructing material in their hives.
Propolis is used for sealing cracks, holes in the hive, thus protecting it from draughts and keeping a special microclimate in the hive. Bees regulate the width of the entrance with propolis depending on the ambient temperature. Bee polish cells with propolis before the queen lays eggs there. Having a strong antiseptic properties, propolis helps the bee colony to defend themselves against various viruses, bacteria and fungi. The hive’s atmosphere is sterile due to the presence of propolis. When large animals such as mice get into a hive, the bees are not able to pull them out of the hive, so propolis is used by bees for the mummification of corpses, which prevents their expansion.
Content
Propolis compounds have three places of origin. They can originate from plant products collected by bees, bee saliva glands secretions or substances which are introduced into propolis during its processing. Normally propolis consists of 50% resinous components (flavonoids, aromatic acids and its esters), 30% wax (fatty acids, spirits and their esters), 10% essential and aromatic oils, 5% pollen load (free amino acids and proteins) and 5% other substances (minerals, ketones, lactones, kinones, steroids, vitamins and sugars).
Its chemical composition is complex and depends on various factors such as the types of plant species, physiological condition of the bees, seasons of the year and other nominal factors.
Organoleptic properties
Propolis is a resinous substance of a yellow-green, brown or dark-red color. The color depends on propolis’ biological origin and the time of its collection. Its structure is dense and non-homogeneous. Propolis has a bitter and slightly burning taste with specific tarry odor.
Therapeutic and biological properties
Propolis is known to produce a number of biological effects: anesthetic, anti-infective, analgesic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiprotozoan, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects, to name several.
Storage
Propolis and its extracts should be stored in hermetically sealed packaging, in a dark, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight, at temperatures under 25° C. Propolis and containing it products have a reasonable shelf life which depends on their contents and can be identified individually for each product
Propolis
Propolis is a resinous substance collected from the buds of certain trees by bees and used as a cement or sealant in the construction of their hives. Bees collect propolis from various plants, mostly from tree buds which secrete resinous substances. It can be proved by the similarity of propolis chemical contents and biological properties to the same measurements of buds resinous substances.
Bees use propolis as disinfecting and constructing material in their hives.
Propolis is used for sealing cracks, holes in the hive, thus protecting it from draughts and keeping a special microclimate in the hive. Bees regulate the width of the entrance with propolis depending on the ambient temperature. Bee polish cells with propolis before the queen lays eggs there. Having a strong antiseptic properties, propolis helps the bee colony to defend themselves against various viruses, bacteria and fungi. The hive’s atmosphere is sterile due to the presence of propolis. When large animals such as mice get into a hive, the bees are not able to pull them out of the hive, so propolis is used by bees for the mummification of corpses, which prevents their expansion.
Content
Propolis compounds have three places of origin. They can originate from plant products collected by bees, bee saliva glands secretions or substances which are introduced into propolis during its processing. Normally propolis consists of 50% resinous components (flavonoids, aromatic acids and its esters), 30% wax (fatty acids, spirits and their esters), 10% essential and aromatic oils, 5% pollen load (free amino acids and proteins) and 5% other substances (minerals, ketones, lactones, kinones, steroids, vitamins and sugars).
Its chemical composition is complex and depends on various factors such as the types of plant species, physiological condition of the bees, seasons of the year and other nominal factors.
Organoleptic properties
Propolis is a resinous substance of a yellow-green, brown or dark-red color. The color depends on propolis’ biological origin and the time of its collection. Its structure is dense and non-homogeneous. Propolis has a bitter and slightly burning taste with specific tarry odor.
Therapeutic and biological properties
Propolis is known to produce a number of biological effects: anesthetic, anti-infective, analgesic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiprotozoan, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects, to name several.
Storage
Propolis and its extracts should be stored in hermetically sealed packaging, in a dark, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight, at temperatures under 25° C. Propolis and containing it products have a reasonable shelf life which depends on their contents and can be identified individually for each product
