Investigation of solubility of Turkish propolis in commercially vegetable oils

Propolis is a resinous substance obtained by honey bees. Phenolic substances including flavonoids are responsible structures from biological activity of propolis. Flavonoids having different structural properties show important diversities for their biologic activities. Propolis are not used as a raw material, therefore it should be purified by extraction with various solvents. Extraction methods for propolis may affect activity of propolis, because different solvents extract different compounds. Propolis are used in drug and cosmetic industries by preparing four types of solvents including ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol and oil. Edible vegetable oils, triglycerides and fatty acids, were suggested as extraction solvents for propolis. Unfortunately, data about chemical composition and biological activities of propolis oil extracts are few. In the present study, extracts of propolis with edible vegetable oils used in Turkey were prepared, determinations of total polyphenolics, total flavonoids and ferric reducing equivalents were carried out. Major aim was to establish how propolis may be solved the best by oils. Four vegatable oils including sun flower oil, hazelnut oil, corn oil and olive oil were chosen for extraction of propolis. It was concluded that propolis was solved the best in olive oil, and in turn in corn, hazelnut and sunflower oils.