Original articleChemical compositions and characteristics of organic compounds in propolis from Yemen

Propolis is a gummy material made by honeybees for protecting their hives from bacteria and fungi. The main objective of this study is to determine the chemical compositions and concentrations of organic compounds in the extractable organic matter (EOM) of propolis samples collected from four different regions in Yemen. The propolis samples were extracted with a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the total extract yields ranged from 34% to 67% (mean = 55.5 ± 12.4%). The major compounds were triterpenoids (254 ± 188 mg g−1, mainly α-, β-amyryl and dammaradienyl acetates), n-alkenes (145 ± 89 mg g−1), n-alkanes (65 ± 29 mg g−1), n-alkanoic acids (40 ± 26 mg g−1), long chain wax esters (38 ± 25 mg g−1), n-alkanols (8 ± 3 mg g−1) and methyl n-alkanoates (6 ± 4 mg g−1). The variation in the propolis chemical compositions is apparently related to the different plant sources. The compounds of these propolis samples indicate that they are potential sources of natural bio-active compounds for biological and pharmacological applications.