FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF ALGERIAN PROPOLIS

Abstract

The fatty acid composition of eight honey bee (Apis mellifera) propolis load samples acquired in Algeria, were determined. The fatty acids presented a variable composition among these samples. All samples contained oleic, linoleic, stearic, eicosenoic, palmitoleic and palmitic acid. Only two samples did not contain arachidonic acid. Also results indicated palmitic, palmitoleic, linoleic, arachidonic and eicosenoic acid, respectively, accounted for 0.05% to 3.71%, 0.14% to 14.58%, 1.3% to 12.1%, 0.19% to 18.83%, and 0.23% to 12.86%; of the total lipids.The unsaturated fatty acid level varied from 19.72% to 51.85% of the total fatty acid composition, suggesting that propolis is a good source of unsaturated fatty acids to the diet. These data might help the regulatory agencies establish quality parameters for propolis produced in Algeria. There are no additional data available on Algerian propolis fatty acid composition.