Elemental content profiles in propolis from several cities of Turkey

Abstract

Background: Macro-element content profiles in propolis that have been previously used in traditional folk medicine have provided enough information to develop a classification of the geological origin of propolis. Within this study, we aim to contribute our research to existing literatüre, particularly through our use of EDXRF spectroscopy, which has not been used to study propolis before. The results of the study led us to conclude that the residues of heavy metals were a limited concentration in Turkish propolis samples.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the macro-element profiles in Turkish propolis from 18 different cities of Turkey.  Methods: The macro-element of 22 raw propolis samples were investigated using Energy-Dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.Results: Turkish Propolis was discovered to be rich with minerals of potassium, sodium which could be more beneficial in human nutrition. Potassium content was at a relatively higher level than other elements in these samples, while calcium content was at  alower level in those samples from various regions of Turkey.Conclusion: The elements of propolis that we studied were distinctive enough to make the discrimination of propolis from different locations in Turkey possible. The quantification by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry procedures provided good resolution of multi-element analysis in propolis samples.Keywords: Propolis; element analysis; energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometre