Precipitation of sub-micron particles of 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid in Brazilian propolis from supercritical carbon dioxide anti-solvent solutions

Food-grade delivery systems of Brazilian propolis from Apis mellifera: From chemical composition to bioactivities in vivo

Brazilian propolis from Apis mellifera is widely studied worldwide due to its unique chemical composition and biological properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. However, although many countries produce honey, another bee product, the consumption of propolis as a functional ingredient is linked to hydroethanolic extract. Hence, other food uses of propolis still have to be incorporated into food systems. Assuming that propolis is a rich source of flavonoids and is regarded as a food-grade ingredient for food and pharmaceutical applications, this review provides a theoretical and practical basis for optimising the bioactive properties of Brazilian propolis, encompassing the extraction processes and incorporating its bioactive compounds in the delivery systems for food applications. Overall, pharmacotechnical resources can optimise the extraction and enhance the chemical stability of phenolic compounds to ensure the bioactivity of food formulations.

Characterization and stability evaluation of Egyptian propolis extract nano-capsules and their application

The increasing demand for natural products and biotechnological activities from bees facilitate their widespread use in food preservation and beneficial effects on humans. This study aimed to prepare and characterize the nano-capsules of Qaluiobia (PQG) governorates propolis extracted with water, ethanol and supercritical fluid-carbon dioxide at 50 °C with co-solvent. Propolis bioavailability was analyzed and introduced to prepare crackers to extend their shelf life. Nano-encapsulation was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and antioxidant activity. Ethanol and supercritical fluid-carbon dioxide (SCF-CO2) at 50 °C with ethanol as co-solvent recorded higher yield, antioxidant activities, total phenolics and total flavonoids. SCF-CO2 extracts had a higher flavonoid concentration. It was revealed that propolis nano-capsules had high-temperature stability and cytotoxic effects against the three tested human cancer cell lines (i.e. PC3, MCF7 and HePG2). The higher overall acceptability of crackers fortified with PQG was achieved with SCF-CO2 at 50 °C and ethanol extract nano-capsules, i.e. 86.57% and 86.29% respectively. The higher ability to retain antioxidant activity reduces the increase of peroxide value (PV), preventing rancidity and increasing the shelf life of crackers during the storage period. Practical application: This study can provide a suitable method for extracting bioactive compounds from propolis, and improve the biological properties and activities by nano-encapsulation, also reveals the extent of its use as a natural antioxidant and anticancer and its application in bakery products as a functional food.

Comparison of the Biological Potential and Chemical Composition of Brazilian and Mexican Propolis

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees from plants and its natural product is available as a safe therapeutic option easily administered orally and readily available as a natural supplement and functional food. In this work, we review the most recent scientific evidence involving propolis from two countries (Brazil and Mexico) located in different hemispheres and with varied biomes. Brazil has a scientifically well documented classification of different types of propolis. Although propolis from Brazil and Mexico present varied compositions, they share compounds with recognized biological activities in different extraction processes. Gram-negative bacteria growth is inhibited with lower concentrations of different types of propolis extracts, regardless of origin. Prominent biological activities against cancer cells and fungi were verified in the different types of extracts evaluated. Antiprotozoal activity needs to be further evaluated for propolis of both origins. Regarding the contamination of propolis (e.g., pesticides, toxic metals), few studies have been carried out. However, there is evidence of chemical contamination in propolis by anthropological action. Studies demonstrate the versatility of using propolis in its different forms (extracts, products, etc.), but several potential applications that might improve the value of Brazilian and Mexican propolis should still be investigated.

Artepillin C: A comprehensive review of its chemistry, bioavailability, and pharmacological properties

Artepillin C (ARC), a prenylated derivative of p-coumaric acid, is one of the major phenolic compounds found in Brazilian green propolis (BGP) and its botanical source Baccharis dracunculifolia. Numerous studies on ARC show that its beneficial health effects correlate with the health effects of both BGP and B. dracunculifolia. Its wide range of pharmacological benefits include antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, immunomodulatory, and anti-cancer effects. Most studies have focused on anti-oxidation, inflammation, diabetic, and cancers using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. Mechanisms underlying anti-cancer properties of ARC are apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and the inhibition of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a protein characterized in many human diseases/disorders including COVID-19 infection. Therefore, further pre-clinical and clinical studies with ARC are necessary to explore its potential as intervention for a wide variety of diseases including the recent pandemic coronaviral infection. This review summarizes the comprehensive data on the pharmacological effects of ARC and could be a guideline for its future study and therapeutic usage.

Chemical characterization and biological activity of six different extracts of propolis through conventional methods and supercritical extraction

Propolis is a natural product with many demonstrated biological activities and propolis extract has been used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Different works have showed the variations in the chemical composition, and consequently, on the biological activity of the propolis that are associated with its type and geographic origin. Due to this study evaluated propolis extracts obtained through supercritical extraction and ethanolic extraction (conventional) in three samples of different types of propolis (red, green and brown), collected from different regions in Brazil (state of Bahia). Analyses were performed to determine the humidity, water activity, the content of total ash, proteins, lipids and fiber in raw propolis samples. The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH), catechin, ferulic acid and luteolin and antimicrobial activity against two bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) were determined for all extracts. For the green and red ethanolic extracts the anti-leishmanicidal potential was also evaluated. The physicochemical profiles showed agreement in relation to the literature. The results identified significant differences among the extracts (p>0.05), which are in conformity with their extraction method, as well as with type and botanical origin of the samples. The extraction with supercritical fluid was not efficient to obtain extracts with the highest contents of antioxidants compounds, when compared with the ethanolic extracts. The best results were shown for the extracts obtained through the conventional extraction method (ethanolic) indicating a higher selectivity for the extraction of antioxidants compounds. The red variety showed the largest biological potential, which included the content of antioxidants compounds. The results found in this study confirm the influence of the type of the raw material on the composition and characteristics of the extracts. The parameters analysis were important to characterize and evaluate the quality of the different Brazilian propolis extracts based on the increased use of propolis by the natural products industry.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Extracts Obtained by Supercritical Extraction and Ethanolic Extraction of Brown, Green and Red Propolis Derived from Different Geographic Regions in Brazil

The variations in the chemical composition, and consequently, on the biological activity of the propolis, are associated with its type and geographic origin. Considering this fact, this study evaluated propolis extracts obtained by supercritical extraction (SCO2) and ethanolic extraction (EtOH), in eight samples of different types of propolis (red, green and brown), collected from different regions in Brazil. The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS), Artepillin C, p-coumaric acid and antimicrobial activity against two bacteria were determined for all extracts. For the EtOH extracts, the anti-proliferative activity regarding the cell lines of B16F10, were also evaluated. Amongst the samples evaluated, the red propolis from the Brazilian Northeast (states of Sergipe and Alagoas) showed the higher biological potential, as well as the larger content of antioxidant compounds. The best results were shown for the extracts obtained through the conventional extraction method (EtOH). However, the highest concentrations of Artepillin C and p-coumaric acid were identified in the extracts from SCO2, indicating a higher selectivity for the extraction of these compounds. It was verified that the composition and biological activity of the Brazilian propolis vary significantly, depending on the type of sample and geographical area of collection.

Low density supercritical fluids precipitation of 9-cis and all trans-β-carotenes enriched particulates from Dunaliella salina

In this study, supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) pulverization coupled with reverse phase elution chromatography was employed to isolate 9-cis and trans-β-carotenes from Dunaliella salina. Total concentration of 9-cis (134.7mg/g) and trans-β-carotene (204.2mg/g) was increased from 338.9mg/g of the ultrasonic extract to 859.7mg/g (338.9 for 9-cis and 520.8 for trans) of the elution fraction. The SAS pulverization of the collected fraction further produced submicron-sized particulates containing 932.1mg/g (355.6 for 9-cis and 576.5 for trans) of total β-carotenes with a recovery of 86.3% (83.9% for cis and 87.8% for trans). Effects of two SAS operational conditions on the purity, recovery of total β-carotenes, mean size and morphology of the precipitates were obtained from an experimentally designed method. Generation of micronized particulates enriched with 9-cis and trans-β-carotenes by low-density SAS was proved to be feasible and environmental benign.

Preparation of highly pure zeaxanthin particles from sea water-cultivated microalgae using supercritical anti-solvent recrystallization

Xanthophylls, including zeaxanthin, are considered dietary supplements with a potentially positive impact on age-related macular degeneration. Using pilot-scale column fractionation coupled with supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) recrystallization, highly pure zeaxanthin particulates were prepared from ultrasonic extracts of the microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata, grown in sea water. Column partition chromatography increased the concentration of zeaxanthin from 36.2 mg/g of the ultrasonic extracts to 425.6 mg/g of the collected column fractions. A response surface methodology was systematically designed for the SAS process by changing feed concentration, CO(2) flow rate and anti-solvent pressure. Zeaxanthin-rich particles with a purity of 84.2% and a recovery of 85.3% were produced using supercritical anti-solvent recrystallization from the column eluate at a feed concentration of 1.5 mg/mL, CO(2) flow rate of 48.6 g/min and pressure of 135 bar.