Propolis as a Key Source of p-Coumaric Acid Permeating Honey

The natural phenolic compound p-coumaric acid supports honey bee health by enhancingdetoxification, immunity and longevity. It also possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatoryand anticancer properties relevant to human health. While commonly detected in honeyand pollen, it is absent from nectar and sucrose-based supplements typically used inbeekeeping. Concerns have been raised whether supplemental saccharide feeding deprivesbees of this essential phytochemical. In this study, we quantified p-coumaric acid in variousbee-derived products and in supplementary sucrose syrup before and after feeding tobees, using HPLC-HRMS analysis. Although fresh sucrose syrup contained negligibleamounts of p-coumaric acid, syrup stored in capped combs exhibited levels comparableto or higher than those in honey. We identified propolis in combs as the primary sourceof p-coumaric acid, diffusing into both honey and sucrose syrup during storage. Ourfindings demonstrate that supplemental feeding with sucrose syrup does not diminish thebees’ access to this key phytochemical and underscore the importance of a propolis-richenvironment in bee health management.