CHIRAL ANALYSIS OF MONOTERPENES IN VOLATILE OILS FROM PROPOLIS

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from samples of propolis manufactured in three regions of Rio Grande do Sul State at Brazil, were analyzed through CG, CG-MS and chiral phase gas chromatography (CPGC). These analyses display the presence of samples with elevated essential oil purport, when compared with plants. The yields obtained were until 3.8%. The samples exhibited similar composition, with predominance of the monoterpenes alpha-pinene (57-63%), beta-pinene (12.5-30.8%) and limonene (1.5-11.2%). In chiral analysis of these constituents were observed modifications in the enantiomeric excess of isomers of a-pinene and limonene in relation with source location of the sample, already in the chiral analysis of beta-pinene were detected only elevated excess of the enantiomer with the (-) configuration. The antimicrobial activity of the crude essential oil was assayed against five bacteria. The best result was obtained against Staphylococcus aureus.