Phytochemical and Elemental Profile of Raw Propolisfrom Onifagu, Ondo State, Nigeria

Propolis is a natural substance produced by bees with a unique chemical composition and diverse medicinal properties. This study analyzed the phytochemical and elemental profile of raw propolis samples obtained from an apiary located in Onifagu, Ondo State, Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical and elemental composition of the propolis which will show its potential therapeutic applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Preliminary tests revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, sugar and terpenoids, while steroids, anthraquinones and proteins were absent. Elemental analysis was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy showed that the propolis contains various macro and micro-nutrients including potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc, and manganese ranging between 4.84-129 ppm. However, potentially toxic metals like lead were observed while chromium and cadmium were not detected. The minerals and phytochemicals present in the propolis complement published data on the rich chemical diversity of bee propolis from different locations. The presence of phenolics like tannins and terpenoids contributes to its medicinal properties as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant. The absence of heavy metal contamination coupled with presence of essential minerals and metabolites indicates that propolis samples from this region is of good quality and can be harnessed as a therapeutic agent as well as a marker for environmental monitoring. Further isolation, purification and biological testing of active lead molecules identified can aid new drug discovery efforts.