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Review
. 2019 Nov;26(7):1695-1703.
doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.08.013. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Composition and functional properties of propolis (bee glue): A review

Syed Ishtiaq Anjum  1 , Amjad Ullah  1 , Khalid Ali Khan  2   3 , Mohammad Attaullah  4 , Hikmatullah Khan  1 , Hussain Ali  5 , Muhammad Amjad Bashir  6 , Muhammad Tahir  7 , Mohammad Javed Ansari  8   9 , Hamed A Ghramh  2   3   10 , Nuru Adgaba  8 , Chandra Kanta Dash  11
Affiliations
Review

Composition and functional properties of propolis (bee glue): A review

Syed Ishtiaq Anjum et al. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Propolis is a natural substance collected by honey bees from various plants such as, poplar, palm, pine, conifer secretions, gums, resins, mucilage and leaf buds. It is collected and brought very painstakingly by honey bees to be used for sealing cracks and crevices occurring in their hives. Originally, it as an antiseptic meant for preventing bee-hive from microbial infections along with preventing decomposition of intruders. Additionally, propolis has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The biological characteristics of propolis depend upon its chemical composition, plant sources, geographical zone and seasons. More than 300 compounds have been identified in propolis such as, phenolic compounds, aromatic acids, essential oils, waxes and amino acids. Many scientific articles are published every year in different international journals, and several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the chemical compounds and biological activity of propolis.

Keywords: Antimicrobial activities; Biomedical applications; Chemical composition; Physical properties; Propolis.

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References

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