Antioxydant activity of some algerian honey and propolis

• A comparative study between the antioxidant activity of honey and propolis has been done.
• An optimization of the extraction of polyphenols was performed using 4 solvents.
• Propolis samples are richer in antioxidants (polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamin C and carotenoids).
• Water was the best solvent for the extraction of polyphenol contents in honey and the optimum extraction of total polyphenols and flavonoids of propolis samples was obtained with ethanol.

Honey and propolis are easily accessible honeybee products which are becoming increasingly popular due to their potential role in contributing to human health. The present study was performed on some honey and propolis samples, harvested in Bejaia (Algeria). Firstly, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids and ascorbic acid were quantified. To maximize the extraction of polyphenols, four solvents (water, 50% ethanol, 85% ethanol and 50% methanol) were tested. After that, the antioxidant capacity of the samples was estimated by determining the reducing power. The total phenolics and flavonoids contents of propolis were significantly (*P < 0.05) different from those of honey. Water permits a better extraction of polyphenols from honey, whereas 85% ethanol was the best solvent of polyphenol extraction from propolis. The reducing power results showed that all the samples exhibit a high antioxidant activity.