title: Composition of the volatile fraction of a sample of Brazilian green propolic and its phytotoxic activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Propolis is a resinous material produced by honeybees, containing mainly beeswax and plant material. Despite the wide spectrum of biological activity of propolis, to our knowledge no studies have been carried out about phytotoxic properties of Brazilian propolis and its constituents. The aims of this study were to analyze the chemical composition and to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of the volatile fraction of a sample of Brazilian green propolis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Main constituents are the phenylpropanoid 3-prenylcinnamic acid allyl ester (26.3%) and the sesquiterpene spathulenol (23.4%). Several other sesquiterpenes and phenylpropanoids, in addition to linalool and α-terpineol (monoterpenes), were also detected. The activity of solutions of the volatile fraction at 1.0, 0.5 and 0.1% was tested on lettuce seeds and seedlings. The solution at 1% inhibited completely the seed germination and solutions at 0.1 and 0.5% reduced the germination rate index. The solution at 0.5% reduced the growth of the hypocotyl-radicle axis and the development of the cotyledon leaf.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The chemical composition of the volatile fraction of this Brazilian green propolis is different from those previously described, and these results may contribute to a better understanding about the chemical variations in propolis. The volatile fraction of Brazilian green propolis influences both germination of seed lettuce and the growth of its seedlings, showing an phytotoxic potential.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phytochemistry, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline C
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3374-7560
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Fernandes-Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phytochemistry, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: CEBRID, Department of Preventive Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phytochemistry, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria L F
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Salatino
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Phytochemistry, Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salatino
authors.affiliation: University of Santo Amaro, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco A S
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mayworm
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects*; D018545:Lactuca / Q000187:drug effects*; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects*; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D011429:Propolis
keywords: Brazilian green propolis; allelopathy; phenylpropanoids; phytotoxicity; terpenoids; volatiles