Parameters of the gross composition of propolis from Brazilian Meliponini

Propolis is a resinous and complex bee product containing resin derived from plants, beeswax, pollen and other minor constituents. The present study aimed to determine the parameters of the gross composition of propolis collected by nine stingless bee species from eight different Brazilian localities. The moisture content varied depending on the bee species and localities. Wax content enables us to distinguish between samples of <i>Melipona</i> and <i>Scaptotrigona</i>, samples of the former containing considerably less wax than samples of the latter genus. The ash content has an inverse trend, with samples of <i>Melipona</i> and <i>Scaptotrigona</i> having high and low ash content, respectively. The results indicated that <i>Melipona</i> species produce geopropolis (propolis containing aggregated soil material), while <i>Scaptotrigona</i> produces propolis devoid of soil, with the exception of <i>S. tubiba</i>. Most <i>Melipona</i> species collected sediments with high clay content. The size and color of ash crystals varied, mostly according to the locality of the meliponaries, although differences were observed between samples of the same species, growing in the same meliponary. Mineralogical analysis was relevant to determine that <i>M. flavolineata</i> from North Brazil aggregates river-bed soil sediments to the geopropolis.