Chemical composition of propolis from Canada, its antiradical activity and plant origin

Abstract

The chemical composition of propolis from two regions in Canada was studied: Boreal forest and the Pacific coastal forest that lie outside the area of distribution of Aigeiros poplars, the usual propolis source plants. In the sample from Victoria, p-hydroxyacetophenone, benzyl hydroxybenzoate and cinnamic acid were the major components, accompanied by significant amounts of dihydrochalcones, which allowed the identification of its plant source: Populus trichocarpa of section Tacamahaca. Three dihydrochalcones were new for propolis. The sample from Richmond was characterized by large amounts of p-coumaric and cinnamic acid, typical for poplars of section Leuce, subsection Trepidae, its plant source was identified as P. tremuloides. Both samples showed a good radical scavenging activity against DPPH. Obviously, the Northern type propolis is a promising potential source of biologically active substances and deserves further investigation.

Keywords:

• Propolis
• Dihydrochalcones
• Populus

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Mr. Jean Porret, Director of “Service d’action humanitaire et communautaire de l’Universie de Montreal” for the propolis samples.