Seasonal Variation of a New Brazilian Greenish-Brown Propolis Type: Chemical Composition and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antileishmanial Activities

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Abstract
Propolis is a natural product of honey bees whose chemical composition is influenced by different plant species and environmental factors, resulting in diverse biological activities. A new propolis type, the greenish-brown propolis (GBPUP), was identified in the northeast of Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of seasonal variation in the chemical composition of GBPUP extracts over a 12-month period. LC–ESI–Orbitrap–FTMS and UFLC–DAD–UV–Vis revealed a chemical composition with some differences to that of Brazilian green propolis, with pinocembrin as the major compound, followed by galangin, pinostrobin, chrysin, artepillin C, and pinobanksin. The extracts exhibited high levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and flavanone contents and moderate to high antioxidant activity. Circos plot analysis showed that specific metabolites were responsible for the high activity against S. aureus (artepillin C, kaempferol, and ferulic acid) and C. albicans (galangin, pinobanksin, chrysin, and pinocembrin) and for moderate antibacterial activity against E. faecalis (rutin) and E. coli (luteolin, rutin, quercetin, and caffeic acid). ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) showed a strong correlation between the metabolites (p-coumaric acid, artepillin C, luteolin) and leishmanicidal activity. Thus, seasonal evaluation allowed the identification of bioactive molecules, the months with greater bioactivity of the GBPUP extracts representing the first comprehensive study of the seasonality of this new and promising propolis variety.
Funding Information
  • Universidade Federal de Alagoas (304765/2025-2)
  • Universidade Federal de Alagoas (304765/2025-2)
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas (E:60030.0000002389/2022)
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas (E:60030.0000000327/2023)

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