Botanical origin, chemical composition, and bioactive properties of propolis of stingless bees from Argentina

Abstract

Wild native bees, as pollinators, provide different services for human beings and ecosystems, and sources of highly appreciated honey in the international market. Despite this importance, taxonomic knowledge and data on geographic distribution or properties of Meliponini (stingless bee) honey and propolis in Argentina are scarce. Beekeeping is, in essence, a multiproduct activity but honey production dominates and propolis has a marginal place. Furthermore, stingless bees produce less propolis per hive than Apis mellifera, which discourages interest from the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries and restricts commercial development. In Argentina, meliponiculture is incipient and several institutions have programs for its expansion. To the best of our knowledge, these programs lack any focus on propolis. Currently, Argentinian stingless bee propolis has been studied only regarding biological properties without palynological study. The field of Argentinian stingless bee propolis remains unexplored and waits for scientists to discover it.