Correlation between antioxidant activity and phenolic acids profile and content of Algerian propolis: Influence of solvent

We aimed in the reported study to investigate the impact of using various solvents in the extraction of potentially active compounds from Algerian propolis. Phenolic and flavonoids contents in association with antioxidant activity of the tested extracts were evaluated. Moreover phenolic composition was determined using UFLC-MS/MS. The tested parameters varied according to the used solvent. Total phenolic and flavononid contents ranged from 0.81±0.16 to 8.97±0.25 EGA mg/g and from 0.57±0.01 to 3.53±0.84 EQ mg/g respectively. All the investigated extracts demonstrated notable antiradical and reducing activities. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol were found to contain the highest amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and the strongest antioxidant properties. The antioxidant activity of propolis extracts appears to be largely influenced by total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Rutin, chlorogenic, ferulic, caffeic and gallic acids were found to be the main phenolic compounds in Algerian propolis. Our results suggest that Algerian propolis may be a poplar-type propolis.