Origin and Chemical Variation of Brazilian Propolis

Propolis is a hive product containing chiefly beeswax and plant-derived substances such as resin and volatile compounds. Propolis has been used as an antiseptic and wound healer since ancient times and interest for the product has increased recently. Probably few plant species contribute as major resin sources. Green propolis derives mainly from vegetative apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia (alecrim plants). However, wide variation detected in the chemical composition suggests contributions from alternative resin plant sources. Predominant components of the resin of green propolis are cinnamic acids, chiefly compounds bearing prenyl groups. Terpenoid compounds, such as sesqui, di and pentacyclic triterpenoids, have been detected in many, but not all, samples investigated. Propolis research has uncovered potentialities of substances previously isolated from plants and has detected constituents of plant origin that would hardly be known otherwise

Plant Origin of Green Propolis: Bee Behavior, Plant Anatomy and Chemistry

Propolis, a honeybee product, has gained popularity as a food and alternative medicine. Its constituents have been shown to exert pharmacological effects, such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer. Shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia (alecrim plant, Asteraceae) have been pointed out as sources of resin for green propolis. The present work aimed (i) to observe the collecting behavior of bees, (ii) to test the efficacy of histological analysis in studies of propolis botanical origin and (iii) to compare the chemistries of alecrim apices, resin masses and green propolis. Bee behavior was observed, and resin and propolis were microscopically analyzed by inclusion in methacrylate. Ethanol extracts of shoot apices, resin and propolis were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Bees cut small fragments from alecrim apices, manipulate and place the resulting mass in the corbiculae. Fragments were detected in propolis and identified as alecrim vestiges by detection of alecrim structures. Prenylated and non-prenylated phenylpropanoids, terpenoids and compounds from other classes were identified. Compounds so far unreported for propolis were identified, including anthracene derivatives. Some compounds were found in propolis and resin mass, but not in shoot apices. Differences were detected between male and female apices and, among apices, resin and propolis. Alecrim apices are resin sources for green propolis. Chemical composition of alecrim apices seems to vary independently of season and phenology. Probably, green propolis composition is more complex and unpredictable than previously assumed

Flora of polliniferous importance for Apis mellifera (L.) in the region of Viçosa, MG

Procurou-se conhecer a flora de importância polinífera para Apis mellifera (L.) na região de Viçosa, MG, em período de entressafra de mel, entre agosto e dezembro de 2005. O experimento foi realizado em dois apiários distintos, cada um com cinco colmeias. As cargas retidas nos coletores de pólen instalados nas colmeias foram analisadas quanto à origem botânica. As plantas em floração no entorno dos apiários foram coletadas e identificadas. A maioria das plantas de importância polinífera para abelhas na região de Viçosa era nativa, localizada em jardins e com hábito arbóreo. Pela análise palinológica, verificou-se que espécies como Anadenanthera colubrina, Arecaceae sp., Baccharis dracunculifolia, B. melastomaefolia, Coffea spp., Emilia sagittata, Eugenia uniflora, Mikania cordifolia, M. hirsutissima, Myrcia fallax, Psidium guajava, Vernonia condensata, V. diffusa, V. lanuginosa e V. mariana são potenciais recursos poliníferos a serem utilizados no período de entressafra do mel. Os resultados indicaram a importância de plantas localizadas em áreas abertas para o forrageamento de pólen por A. mellifera e confirmaram o potencial polinífero da região estudada, durante o período de entressafra do mel.The objective of this work was to study flora of polliniferous importance for Apis mellifera (L.) in the region of Viçosa-MG, during the period between honey harvests from August to December, 2005. The experiment was carried out in two different apiaries, each one with five beehives. The pellets retained in the pollen collectors in the beehives were analyzed with respect to their botanical origin. The flowering plants surrounding the apiaries were collected and identified. Most plants of polliniferous importance for the bees in the Viçosa region were native, located in gardens and with arboreal habitus. The palynological analysis showed that species such as Anadenanthera colubrina, Arecaceae sp., Baccharis dracunculifolia, B. melastomaefolia, Coffea spp.s are potential polliniferous resources to be used during the period between honey harvests. The results indicate the importance of plants located in open areas for pollen scavenging by A. mellifera, confirming the polliniferous potential of the studied area during the period between honey harvests.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Health in Stationary and Migratory Apiaries

The practice of migratory beekeeping is based on moving honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies between different locations to intensify agricultural production through improved pollination services. However, due to stress caused by exposure of bee hives to different environments, migratory beekeeping activities can lead colonies to greater susceptibility of these insects to pathogens and pests, thus leading to population decline and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health profile of apiaries that adopt two types of management (stationary and migratory), located in the central-eastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil, during two sampling periods, one in spring (October 2010), and one in autumn (May 2011). We collected 474 samples of honeycomb from the brood area, combs containing capped brood, adult bees that covered the brood area, and foraging bees, to evaluate the presence and prevalence of Paenibacillus larvae, Varroa destructor, Nosema apis and N. ceranae. Seasonality was identified as a determining factor in the health condition of Africanized A. mellifera colonies, causing a stronger effect on health than the type of management employed (stationary vs migratory beekeeping). The infection rates of N. ceranae were higher during the autumn in relation to the spring (387 ± 554 spores per bee in the spring and 1,167 ± 1,202 spores per bee in the autumn in stationary apiaries and 361 ± 687 spores per bee in the spring and 1,082 ± 1,277 spores per bee in the autumn in migratory apiaries). The same pattern was found for infestation rates of V. destructor (2.83 ± 1.97 in the spring and 9.48 ± 6.15 in the autumn in stationary apiaries and 3.25 ± 2.32 in the spring and 6.34 ± 6.58 in the autumn in migratory apiaries). These results demonstrate that the seasonality affects the health of A. mellifera colonies, but it does not depend on the type of management adopted (stationary or migratory)

Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) Does Not Cause Collapse of Colonies of Africanized Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Tropical Climate

Nosemosis is an important disease that affects honey bees (Apis mellifera Lineu), caused by obligate intracellular parasites, Nosema  apis  and/or  Nosema  ceranae. Since the initial detection of N. ceranae in A. mellifera coincided with recent large-scale losses of bee colonies worldwide, the impacts of this parasite under field conditions are of great interest. Here we test two hypotheses, the first one, whether the climatic variables (temperature, air humidity and precipitation) influence the intensity of infection of the microsporidium Nosema spp. in Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera), and the second, whether the local of hive installation (outdoor or roofed) influences the intensity of infection of these spores in Africanized honey bees. Between August 2013 and August 2016, samples of Africanized bees were collected weekly from 20 colonies, of which ten were located in an open area (outdoor apiary) and ten under a roof on a concrete floor (roofed apiary). N.  ceranae was the only species present. The type of apiary did not influence (p > 0.05) the number of spores of N. ceranae in Africanized bees. However, the infection intensities of the roofed apiary colonies were lower in the autumn. Regarding the meteorological parameters, there was a negative correlation between the winter infection intensities and the minimum temperature in the roofed apiary and the humidity in the outdoor apiary. The highest infection intensities occurred in both apiaries in the spring and summer, which may be related to higher pollen production. On average, the infection intensity was 16.19 ± 15.81 x 105, ranging from zero to 100.5 x105, and there were no records of collapse during the three years

Nutritional composition and quality of bee pollen collected in Minas Gerais, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência das composições florísticas locais sobre a qualidade do pólen apícola, em dois apiários de Minas Gerais. Em cada apiário, foram instaladas cinco colméias de Apis mellifera (L.). A flora polinífera foi identificada nas proximidades dos apiários. As bolotas de pólen foram coletadas de agosto a dezembro de 2005. A análise melissopalinológica foi realizada pelo método padrão europeu. Foram realizadas análises nutricionais do pólen relativas à porcentagem de matéria seca, orgânica e mineral, à proteína bruta, ao extrato etéreo e aos carboidratos totais. Foi realizada correlação de Spearman entre os componentes nutricionais e os tipos polínicos ocorrentes. No apiário UFV, a flora polinífera predominante apresentou espécies ornamentais com hábito arbóreo, e no apiário Mesmel predominaram as espécies da pastagem abandonada com hábito herbáceo. A composição nutricional do pólen coletado não apresentou correlação com a diversidade de tipos polínicos, mas apresentou correlação com a predominância de tipos polínicos específicos. As diferentes composições florísticas influenciam na qualidade do pólen apícola, e a coleta em diversas fontes de alimento, pelas abelhas, é importante para a obtenção de uma dieta mais equilibrada.The objective of this work was to assess the influence of the local floral composition on the quality of apicultural pollen collected in two apiaries, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Five hives of Apis mellifera (L.) were installed in each apiary. The polliniferous flora in the proximity of the apiaries was identified. The pollen loads were collected from August to December, 2005. The melissopalinological analysis was carried out following the standard European method. Nutritional analyses of pollen were performed related to percentages of dry, organic and mineral matter; to raw protein; to ether extract; and to total carbohydrates. Spearman correlation was carried out between nutritional components and pollen types. In the UFV apiary, the predominant polliniferous flora presented ornamental species with arboreous habitus, and in the Mesmel apiary, it presented species of abandoned cattle pasture with herbaceous habitus. The nutritional composition of the collected pollen showed no correlation with the diversity of pollen types, however, it showed correlation with the predominance of specific pollen types. Different floral compositions influence the quality of pollen collected by bees; and its collection by bees, in various sources, is important to obtain a more balanced diet

Efeito de extratos de própolis verde sobre bactérias patogênicas isoladas do leite de vacas com mastite

Erro no DOI, por isso foi disponibilizado o link de acesso.A sensibilidade, in vitro, de amostras de Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp. coagulase negativos, Streptococcus agalactiae e bactérias do grupo dos coliformes, isoladas do leite de vacas com mastite, a diferentes extratos de própolis, na concentração de 100 mg/ml, foi avaliada pela técnica do antibiograma em discos de papel de filtro com sobrecamada de meio de cultura. Os resultados mostraram que o extrato etanólico de própolis comercial, os extratos etanólico e, em menor proporção, o metanólico inibiram o crescimento das amostras de bactérias Gram-positivas, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp. coagulase negativos e Streptococcus agalactiae. Os extratos obtidos através da água, do acetato de etila e do clorofórmio não inibiram nenhuma amostra bacteriana, assim como os veículos etanol e metanol puros utilizados como controle. A bactéria Gram-negativa testada, do tipo coliforme, não apresentou sensibilidade a nenhum dos extratos. Verificaram-se diferenças significativas (p < 0,05) na sensibilidade aos extratos entre amostras bacterianas de uma mesma espécie, mas de origens diferentes. Nas amostras de Streptococcus agalactiae, os diâmetros dos halos de inibição do crescimento bacteriano ao redor do disco foram maiores que aqueles observados para as amostras de Staphylococcus aureus e Staphylococcus sp. coagulase negativos. Todos estes resultados estimulam o prosseguimento de novas pesquisas sobre a utilização de extratos de própolis, em veículos adequados, com vistas ao tratamento da mastite bovina.In vitro, the sensitivity to different propolis extracts, at a concentration of 100 mg/ml, of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp. coagulase negative, Streptococcus agalactiae and bacteria of the coliform group, isolated from the milk of cows with mastitis, was evaluated using the technique of an agar disk diffusion with a medium doublelayer. The results showed that the commercial propolis, the ethanolic extract, and, in a minor proportion, the methanolic extract inhibited the growth of the Gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp. coagulase negative and Streptococcus agalactiae. The extracts obtained through water, etila acetate and chloroform did not inhibit any bacterial strains, nor did the pure ethanol and methanol vehicles that were utilized as controls. The Gram negative bacterium tested, from the coliform group, did not show sensitivity to any extract. Bacterial strains of the same species collected from different sources presented significant differences in sensitivity to the extracts (p < 0.05). In the Streptococcus agalactiae samples, the diameters of the zone of inhibition around the disks were bigger than those observed for samples of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus sp. coagulase negative. The results of this experiment stimulate the continuation of studies on the use of propolis extracts, by means of using the appropriate vehicles for the treatment of bovine mastitis

EFEITO DE ANTOCIANINA E PRÓPOLIS EM DIABETES INDUZIDA EM COELHOS

The diabetes syndrome is characterized by a reduction of the capacity of carbohydrates metabolism and fats, resulting in increase of glucose seric and lipids levels, what can cart in premature vascular degeneration. The experimental groups studied with rabbits were: Group 1 - group controls that only received ration, Group 2 - diabetic group that only received ration, Group 3 - diabetic group that received ration and 1 anthocyanin capsule (20mg) daily; Group 4 - diabetic group that received ration and 1 propolis capsule (150mg) daily. The groups 3 and 4 were submitted to 28 days of treatment, with weekly evaluation of the blood levels of glucose and triacylglicerol. The results showed that during the whole experimental period the anthocyanin were more effective in to reduction of the glucose levels with reductions of 10,78% to the 7 days, 10,54% to the 14 days, 17,33% at the 21 days and 28,09% to the 28 days. The propolis presented reductions of 1.06% to the 7 days, 1,10% to the 14 days, 0,66% at the 21 days and 22,69% to the 28 days. The reduction of the percentage of triacylglicerol variation was observed in 22,74% by the anthocyanin and 22,60% by the treatment with propolis to the 28 days. In groups 3 and 4 during the whole experimental period, the triacylglicerol levels increased in the period of 7 to the 21 days.A síndrome clínica da diabetes é caracterizada pela redução da capacidade de metabolização de carboidratos e gorduras, resultando em aumento dos níveis séricos de glicose (hiperglicemia) e lipídios (hiperlipidemia), acarretando em degeneração vascular prematura. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar os efeitos da antocianina e do própolis ministrados nas doses de 20mg e 150mg, respectivamente, em coelhos diabéticos para a verificação dos efeitos sobre os níveis de glicose e triacilglicerol. Os grupos experimentais de coelhos estudados foram: Grupo 1- grupo controle que somente recebeu ração; Grupo 2- grupo diabético que recebeu ração mais aloxano; Grupo 3- grupo diabético que recebeu ração, aloxano e 1 cápsula de antocianina (20mg) diariamente; Grupo 4- grupo diabético que recebeu ração, aloxano e 1 cápsula de própolis (150mg) diariamente. Os Grupos 3 e 4 foram submetidos a vinte e oito dias de tratamento, com dosagem semanal dos níveis sanguíneos de glicose e de triacilglicerol. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, pode-se observar que, durante todo o período experimental, a antocianina foi mais eficaz, em induzir a queda dos níveis de glicose, com reduções de 10,78% aos 7 dias, 10,54% aos 14 dias, 17,33% aos 21 dias e 28,09% aos 28 dias. Já o própolis apresentou redução de 22,69% aos 28 dias. Observou-se redução dos percentuais de variação de triacilgliceróis em 22,74% pela antocianina e 22,60% pelo tratamento com própolis aos 28 dias. Ao se compararem os Grupos 3 e 4 com o Grupo 2 (aloxano) durante todo o período experimental, os níveis de triacilgliceróis aumentaram no período de 0 a 21 dias