A simple and inexpensive procedure for detection of a marker of Brazilian alecrim propolis

The detection of marker compounds is a necessary step for chemical characterization and standardization of propolis. A thin-layer chromatography procedure is described for the detection of allyl 3-prenylcinnamate, a volatile marker of Brazilian green propolis. The powdered sample is heated inside a petri dish and the material condensed on the dish cap is chromatographed on silica gel plates. The visualization may be done by spraying the plates with a solution of sodium fluorescein or a solution of sulphuric acid vanillin reagent.