**Author details**

In addition, with respect to methods of extraction and preparation of propolis extracts, the composition of propolis extracts varies with the concentration of propolis, especially with the water/ethanol content of hydrous ethanol used in the extraction. Oldoni et al. observed the influence of standardization of extraction. The results of their study confirmed that the opti‐ mization of the extraction conditions is important to obtain extracts that are rich in phenolic

Since propolis has great chemical diversity, it needs to be chemically standardized before use to ensure quality, efficacy and safety and this way, it is possible to correlate the type of propolis and its therapeutic application, an essential task for a growing market and more demanding throughout the world. Brazil is a pioneer in these practices, since it is considered

Brazilian propolis were classified in the most prevalent types, resulting in 12 groups or types based on their geographical origin, chemical composition and plant origin: five in the south, one in the southeast and six in the northeast. A new type of propolis from a mangrove region from the State of Alagoas had its botanical origin identified as Dalbergiaecastophyllum, a species of legume and was ranked as the 13th type of northeast Brazilian propolis. These findings confirm the great Brazilian biodiversity that has become the subject of several

In this context, it is important to note that the evaluation of propolis samples from different geographical and climatic regions means that there are variations in the chemical composi‐ tion and, therefore, biological activities may differ. Thus, when performing pharmacological studies, we should not indiscriminately compare propolis samples from different regions, neither assign a proven activity in a given sample to other samples from different regions. For this reason, publications on evidence of biological activities should include the physical and

Moreover, there is smaller variation in the chemical composition of propolis found in temper‐ ate regions of the planet, where its main bioactive compounds are flavonoids: apigenin, quer‐ cetin, hesperetin, rutin, luteolin, genistein, daidzein, anthocyanidin, kaempferol, among others. Although flavonoids are the most extensively studied components of propolis, they are not the only ones responsible for their pharmacological properties. Several other com‐

In order to assist in the standardization process of apiculture products which are greatly diverse due to the variety of vegetation that exists in Brazil, it was possible to draw a profile of the main antioxidant substances of apiculture products from Brazil. It was possible to identify several substances of antioxidant capacity in bee products from Brazil, mainly in

compounds and antioxidant activity of propolis [23].

10 Superfood and Functional Food - An Overview of Their Processing and Utilization

one of the world's biggest suppliers of bee products [3, 11–13].

scientific research studies throughout the world [3, 12, 13, 30, 31].

chemical characterization of the used propolis [32].

**4. Conclusion: key results**

pounds have been linked to its medicinal properties [12, 13, 24].

propolis and geopropolis, propolis extracts and honey.

Karuane Saturnino da Silva Araújo<sup>1</sup> \*, Dark Luzia dos Santos Neto<sup>2</sup> and Sandra Maria Botelho Mariano2

\*Address all correspondence to: karuane@gmail.com

1 Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Imperatriz, Brazil

2 Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), Palmas, Brazil
