Phenolic profile and antioxidant potential of propolis from Azerbaijan.

Abstract

This study analyzed the antioxidant properties and phenolic compositions of propolis samples collected from 15 different locations in Azerbaijan. Antioxidant activities were measured using three different methods, i) total phenolic contents (TPC), ii) ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and iii) 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. TPC of the propolis samples were between 10.94 and 79.23 mg GAE/g, FRAP values were between 170 and 438 µM Trolox/g and DPPH radical scavenging activities (SC50 value) were between 18 and 128 µg/mL. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified using HPLC-DAD in comparison with standards. Of the 15 samples investigated, propolis samples from the Ismayilli, Zerdap and Qax regions exhibited higher antioxidant capacity compared to the other regions of Azerbaijan. The total antioxidant potential of the samples varied depending on the flora of the different collection regions; however, there were also significant differences among samples collected within the same region. The study findings reveal that the antioxidant potential of propolis samples does not depend only on the flora of the region, but that the condition and age of the beehive, as well as the strength of the colony and method of collection of the samples are also important dynamics.