NEW EMERGING FIELDS OF APPLICATION OF PROPOLIS
Vassya Bankova*, Milena Popova, Boryana Trusheva
Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria *bankova@orgchm.bas.bg
Propolis (bee glue) is a sticky resinous material applied by honey bees Apis mellifera L. as a build- ing material in their hives and as a defensive substance against infections. Propolis has been used as a remedy in traditional medicine systems all over the world, mainly to treat wounds and burns, sore throat, stomach ulcer, etc. Modern science has confirmed the antimicrobial and antiviral action of propolis, and has discovered numerous other beneficial pharmacological properties of bee glue: immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, antitumor, and many others. For this reason, a significant number of prod- ucts containing propolis have been developed and commercialized: medical devices, over-the-counter preparations, health foods and beverages, cosmetics. This review does not deal with propolis applications in the improvement and protection of human health. Instead, it is focused on some new and promising ar- eas of propolis use and innovative propolis-containing products that have emerged in the last few years: improving the growth performance of livestock, food preservation, food packaging, textile materials for biomedical application, etc.
* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.