“BOTANICAL IDENTIFICATION, CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS AND EVALUATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF PERUVIAN PROPOLIS”

Propolis is a natural substance produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from resins collected from various parts of the plant. Several research have prove the pharmacological and biological properties of the propolis, including antioxidative, antimicrobial, antihepatotoxic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, among others. The aim of this study was to chemically characterize different Peruvian propolis and determine their botanical source. Propolis produced by Apis mellifera were collected in three regions of Peru: Tacna, Arequipa and Lambayeque. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods and antioxidant activity was performed by FRAP and ORAC tests and antimicrobial capacity was evaluated against Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria, fungi and yeast. EASI-MS and ESI-MS / MS were used to identify chemical compounds present in propolis ethanolic extracts (EEP). The results showed phenolic and flavonoid contents between 507.1 mg EAG mL-1 to 6603.8 mg EAG mL-1 and 0.47 mg EC mL-1 to 9.01 mg EC mL-1 respectively. FRAP assay results ranged from 49.3 to 46.7 µmol ET mL-1. However, all EEP showed high oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) with values ranging from 245.65 µmol ET mL-1 to 267.48 µmol ET mL-1. The antimicrobial capacity showed potent inhibitory capacity against Gram (+) S. aureus bacteria (MIC 39.1 μg mL-1) and slightly against Gram (-) bacteria and fungi (MIC between 625 μg mL-1 to 2500 μg mL-1). 1), no inhibitory capacity was observed for yeast. The main compounds identified in the EEP were: quercetin, caemferol, pinocembrine and artipilin C. By principal component analysis (PCA) it was possible to classify the Peruvian propolis in five groups. The main chemical markers of Peruvian propolis are ions m/z 245, m/z 255, m/z 261, m/z 283, m/z 299, m/z 313, m/z 329 m/z 501. Pela Mass fragmentation confirmed Baccharis tricuneata and Alnus acuminata as potential botanical sources of Lambayeque propolis.