Metabolomics Reveals Discrimination of Iranian Propolis Using LC-MS and NMR Analysis

Propolis is a multifaceted substance that bees produce using nectar from flowers, buds, tree gums, and resins found in plant stems, branches, and leaves. Also, the chemical compositions of propolis exhibit significant variation attributable to diverse botanical sources and geographical origins. In this study, advanced LC-MS and NMR techniques utilized to examine the chemical composition of an alcoholic extract of Iranian propolis for innovative natural product analysis. The results showed that Iranian propolis predominantly comprises flavonoids, phenolics, and aromatic compounds. The study further demonstrated the presence of several flavonoids, including Hispidulin, Hesperetin, and 7, 3, 4-Trihydroxyflavone, and phenolic acids, such as 3,4-difluorocinnamic acid, caffeic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. These findings are significant as they provide valuable insights into the chemical composition of Iranian propolis, thus contributing to the growing body of knowledge about this distinctive compound.