A validated HPLC-UV method for the analysis of phenolic compounds in Brazilian red propolis and Dalbergia ecastaphyllum

Propolis is a natural product produced from the interaction between bees and plants. Brazilian red propolis results from Apis mellifera collection of resins from two plant species, being Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub, Fabaceae, the primary botanical source, containing isoflavonoids and other characteristic phenolic compounds. Several biological activities of Brazilian red propolis and their isolated compounds have been described in the literature. However, to our knowledge, there are no validated analytical methods for the analysis and standardization of products derived from this type of propolis reported in the literature. We developed a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analytical method for the detection and quantification of nine red propolis chemical markers: liquiritigenin, calycosin, isoliquiritigenin, formononetin, vestitol, neovestitol, medicarpin, biochanin A, and 7-O-methylvestitol, present in Brazilian red propolis extracts and D. ecastaphyllum. The developed method was also applied to the analyses of D. ecastaphyllum samples and seasonal analysis of Brazilian red propolis. Good detection response, linearity, precision, and robustness were obtained by the method, being reliable for the quality control of Brazilian red propolis extracts, raw propolis, plant material, and their derived products. The red propolis chemical markers were present in D. ecastaphyllum stems at lower concentrations. The seasonal analysis of Brazilian red propolis extract showed higher phenolic compound concentration on periods of the rainy season with higher humidity and lower solar radiation. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analytical method was developed for the detection and quantification of nine red propolis chemical markers in Brazilian red propolis extracts and D. ecastaphyllum. The method showed good detection response, linearity, precision, and robustness, making it reliable for quality control. Chemical markers were found in D. ecastaphyllum stems at lower concentrations, and seasonal analysis of Brazilian red propolis showed higher phenolic compound concentration during rainy periods.