The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of mandaçaia (melipona quadrifasciata) geopropolis varies more due to region than month of collection.

Gabriel MB, Carneiro MJ, de Camargo RCR, Sawaya ACHF

Nat Prod Res 36 (6) 1626-1630 [2022-03-00; online 2021-03-10]

Stingless bees are responsible for pollinating up to 90% of Brazilian flora, so their study is of commercial and ecological importance. Stingless bees mix plant resins with wax and soil, forming geopropolis. Studies of the variability in composition and activity due to species, place and season of collection are lacking. Yield, total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity (via DPPH) of the extracts of fifteen M. quadrifasciata (Mandaçaia) geopropolis samples collected over a year in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, as well as two samples from different regions of the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil were compared. Composition was determined by ultra-high-resolution liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, identifying 16 compounds. The month and region of collection affected the available plant resins and influenced their yield, composition and antioxidant capacity. Depending on the place of collection, M. quadrifasciata geopropolis is a promising natural source of antioxidant phenolic compounds.

Swedish Metabolomics Centre (SMC) [Service]

PubMed 33715548

DOI 10.1080/14786419.2021.1892101

Crossref 10.1080/14786419.2021.1892101