5. Conclusion: key results

are described as important in defense of oxidative damage of biological molecules

autobiofilm, antifungal, analgesic, anesthetic), and several studies have shown that propolis has bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity against several Gram-positive bacteria, such as S. aureus, S. mutans, and B. subtilis, and Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa. In addition, a synergistic inhibitory effect of propolis and antibiotics has also been reported on growth of S. aureus. The relevance of such antimicrobial activity of propolis is increased if one considers the growing appearance of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in hospitals and in the community. Notably, this situation is exacerbated by the inadequate use and prescription of antibiotics and the scarcity of new medicines [39–42].Torres et al. [43] performed the chemical characterization and antimicrobial activity of propolis obtained from the stingless bees Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata and

Tetragonisca angustula, and verified that their ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEPs) of M. quadrifasciata quadrifasciata and T. angustula presented antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and antioxidant activity. The chemical analysis of EEPs revealed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, which were more abundant in EEP from M. quadrifasciata quadrifasciata. The use of propolis has also been associated with the treatment of lung cancer, since its therapeutic potential for the treatment of several diseases is well studied and elucidated [44]. Szliszka et al. [45] performed some epidemiological and preclinical studies and suggested that polyphenols and flavonoids in propolis have direct antitumor and chemopreventive effects. Propolis was used as a dietary supplement, and it was observed that the anticarcinogenic activity of the flavonoids in it can suppress the growth of the lung tumor, inhibiting angiogenesis and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells [46]. It has also been reported that the protective effect of propolis

against various types of cancer, including lung cancer, can occur by directly inhibiting the growth of tumor cells and inducing apoptosis [47] or indirectly by

Brihoum et al. [49] investigated the antitumor effect of Algerian propolis on a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line and its chemopreventive effect on experimentally induced lung cancer and found results suggesting that Algerian propolis may act against lung cancer and may lead to the potential use of these natural

According to [35], which evaluated the propolis of the region of Amazonas state in Brazil, the antioxidant activity was higher in the samples that contained larger amounts of phenolic compounds. The papers highlighted in the present review identified the following substances of antioxidant capacity: gallic acid, ellagic acid,

The meliponiculture has a great importance in Brazil and in the world. Most of the published works were carried out in the South [50], Southeast [51], and Northeast regions [52]. These three regions also have the highest honey production in Brazil, which in 2013 was 35,365 tons: the South contributed 50.2%, the Southeast 21.5%, and the Northeast 21.3%. The Central-West region is one of the leastproducing honey regions in the country, with only 4.4% participation in the national production, despite the rich native flora found mainly in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes [16]. Conservation practices such as meliponiculture tend to support the conservationist effect of the sustainable use of Brazilian vegetation [9].

capturing ROS and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes [48].

catechin, gallocatechin, hesperidin, kaempferol, luteolin, morin, naringin, naringenin, and rutin. Honey analysis also confirmed the presence of antioxidant

compounds for the treatment and prevention of lung cancer.

substances, highlighting phenolic compounds.

68

Propolis is a water-insoluble resinous mixture of bees'saliva and vegetable resin with a wide range of important biological and therapeutic properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antiviral,

and capable of assisting in the treatment of various pathologies.

Beekeeping - New Challenges

In order to help the process of standardization of bee products and traceability of the production chain, it was possible to draw a profile of the main bioactive substances of the beehive products of Brazil. It was also possible to relate the benefits of an adequate management of beekeeping and meliponiculture in Brazil. Standardization is not yet observed in scientific research and legislation in Brazil. The available information on the honey flora in Brazil is still empirical and restricted to some regions of the country. The low amount of research on the subject in Brazil reflects on the technological level of apiaries and consequently on the management of beekeeping in Brazil. In this context, it is necessary to carry out more research and public policies that help in the improvement of beekeeping and meliponiculture in Brazil.

## Author details

Karuane Saturnino da Silva Araújo<sup>1</sup> \*, Bruno Machado Araújo<sup>2</sup> , Diego Carvalho Viana<sup>1</sup> , Jailson Honorato<sup>1</sup> , Virlane Kelly Lima Hunaldo<sup>3</sup> , Ila Raquel Mello Cardoso<sup>4</sup> , Dark Luzia dos Santos Neto<sup>4</sup> , Leonardo Moreira de Oliveira<sup>1</sup> , Eline Pacheco<sup>1</sup> , Cláudia Lima Dias<sup>1</sup> , Ivaneide de Oliveira Nascimento<sup>1</sup> , Djany Souza Silva<sup>3</sup> , Gerbeli de Mattos Salgado<sup>1</sup> , José de Ribamar Macedo Costa<sup>3</sup> , Jaisane Santos Melo Lobato3 and Sandra Maria Botelho Mariano<sup>4</sup>

1 State University of the Tocantina Region of Maranhão (UEMASUL), Imperatriz, MA, Brazil


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

© 2018 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
