The Role of Baccharis dracunculifolia and its Chemical Profile on Green Propolis Production by Apis mellifera

Author(s)

Rodrigues, Debora Munhoz ^[1] ; De Souza, Marcelo Claro ^[1] ; Arruda, Caroline ^[1] ; Pereira, Rodrigo Augusto Santinelo ^[2] ; Bastos, Jairo Kenupp ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Ave Cafe S-N, BR-14040930 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Philosophy Sci & Literature Ribeirao Preto, Ave Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Chemical Ecology; v. 46, n. 2 DEC 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The botanical source of Brazilian green propolis (BGP) is Baccharis dracunculifolia DC, which interacts not only with Apis mellifera, but also with galling insects. In the last decade, because of green propolis ` important biologic activities, the international demand for BGP overcame the production capacity, consequently, new approaches are required to increase this production. Hence, the understanding of the chemical ecology interactions of B. dracunculifolia with galls and bees in field conditions may provide insights to increase BGP's production. A ``bee pasture{''} experiment aiming to better understand this plant-insect interaction was therefore performed. For that, 48 B. dracunculifolia individuals, being 24 females and 24 males, were cultivated and investigated for the following parameters: (1) phenolic and volatile compounds in both B. dracunculifolia leaves and green propolis, (2) environmental variables, (3) visiting rate by bees, (4) time of resin collection, and (5) number of galls. Regression analyses by independent linear mixed-effect models were run to correlate phenolic and volatile compounds concentration with the environmental and field variables. Significant differences in chemical profile and field variables were observed between male and female plants. Male plants showed higher infestation by galling insects while female plants showed higher number of visiting bees, time of resin collection and terpenes concentration, contributing to the differences observed in the field. The obtained results suggest that increasing the percentage of female B. dracunculifolia plants in the field may attract more bees and therefore enhance propolis production. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/04138-8 - Attainment of chemical, analytical, biological, pharmacological and technological studies to fill the gaps on the development of Brazilian propolis sector
• Grantee: Jairo Kenupp Bastos
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/04148-8 - Baccharis dracunculifolia: bee pasture formation, study of interactions with Apis mellifera and galling insects in the production of green propolis
• Grantee: Debora Munhoz Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master