Bees collect vegetal resins that they mix with their wax and mechanical impurities to elaborate propolis, whose chemical composition is complex and variable depending on botanical/geographical origin, type of bee, time of year when it was produced and function in the hive. The presence of compounds that absorb UV radiation, such as those of the phenolic type: acids, esters, flavonoids and chalcones, largely responsible for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory biological activity has been reported. The objective of the present work was to establish if it was possible to differentiate Argentine propolis using UV spectroscopy and chemometric analysis, in the following cases: a) Propolis elaborated by three different species of bees (Apis mellifera, Tetragonisca fiebrigi, Scaptotrigona jujuyensis) of the same geographical origin, and b) Propolis produced by a species of bee (Apis mellifera) of four different geographical origins. UV spectrograms were performed in the 190 to 420 nm range for all the samples followed by analysis of principal components, hierarchical clusters and linear discriminants. The results showed that Argentine propolis could be differentiated in the two cases studied, and that A.mellifera, T, fiebrigi and S. jujuyensis would not use the same plant species to produce them.

Bee propolis is a natural product extensively used as an ingredient in functional foods in amounts that may confer health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional and functional properties (antioxidant activity) of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of propolis samples from Santiago del Estero province, northern Argentina. All propolis extracts contained macronutrients (glucose, fructose, sucrose and proteins), micronutrients (Na, K, Ca, P and Mg) and trace elements (Fe). Spectrophotometric, TLC and HPLC-DAD analyses showed the presence of several phenolic, flavonoid and non-flavonoid compounds, but in all cases the flavonoids prevailed. The PCA of polyphenolic content provided a clear separation of propolis in Group 1 (SE1, 2, 3, 4 and 7) and Group 2 (SE5 and 6) associated with phenolic compound content and collection regions. Two compounds, pinocembrin and chrysin, which could be used as chemical markers of Santiago del Estero propolis, were identified in all samples. Propolis samples extracted with water presented better radical scavenging ability than ethanolic extracts, independent of the antioxidant method (scavenging activity of ABTS^•+, DPPH^•, HO^• and O₂^•- and β-carotene bleaching test). Such results correlated closely with the levels of total phenols and flavonoids in samples. The results justify the use of Argentine propolis as a functional dietary supplement.

Argentinean northwestern propolis were included into the national Food Code, some of that were sometimes associated with Zuccagnia punctata, an endemic plant with interesting biological properties. An analytical protocol for characterizing the phenolic profile of Z. punctata by LC coupled to DAD-QTOF detection systems was proposed. \ud Mass spectrometric and chromatographic selectivity allowed to recognize various compounds including isomers. Eleven compounds never mentioned before for this shrub were highlighted. Among them, two uncommon dihydrochalcones, i.e. 4'-hydroxy-2'-methoxydihydrochalcone and 2',4'-dihydroxydihydrochalcone, were described for the first time as major constituents of Z. punctata, suggesting a peculiar biosynthetic pathway.\ud Only the two propolis collected in the “Del Monte” phytogeographical region showed large amounts of molecules present in Z. punctata, which were proposed as markers of propolis type Z. punctata. Since Z. punctata exhibits a very interesting bioactivity, propolis derived from this plant can be used as nutraceutical foo

The aim of this review is to provide overall information on Argentine propolis and to shed light on its potential, especially the one from the Monte region so as to support future research in the field. Around 1999, the Argentine propolis began to be chemically and functionally characterized to give it greater added value. Because Argentina has a wide plant biodiversity, it is expected that its propolis will have various botanical origins, and consequently, a different chemical composition. To date, five types have been defined. Based on their functionality, several products have been developed for use in human and veterinary medicine and in animal and human food. Because the Argentine propolis with the greatest potential is that of the Monte eco-region, this review will describe the findings of the last 20 years on this propolis, its botanical source (Zuccagnia punctata Cav.), its chemical composition, and a description of markers of chemical quality (chalcones) and functionality. Propolis can regulate the activity of various pro-inflammatory enzymes and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism enzymes, as well as remove reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Consequently, it can modulate metabolic syndrome and could be used as a functional ingredient in food. Furthermore, hydroalcoholic extracts can act against human and animal pathogenic bacteria and human yeast, and mycelial pathogenic fungi. The ability to stop the growth of post-harvest pathogenic bacteria and fungi was also demonstrated. For this reason, Argentine propolis are natural products capable of protecting crops and increasing the lifespan of harvested fruit and vegetables. Several reports indicate the potential of Argentine propolis to be used in innovative products to improve health, food preservation, and packaging. However, there is still much to learn about these natural products to make a wholesome use of them.

In previous studies, the Argentinean native plants called Zuccagnia punctata (jarilla, pus pus, lata) and Solanum betaceum (chilto, tree tomato) were reported as new natural sources of antioxidant compounds, mainly chalcones, anthocyanins and rosmarinic acid derivates. The present study deals with the production of antioxidant beverages of Z. punctata (Zp) extract and chilto juice with honey as sweetener. A Zp extract and red chilto juice were obtained according to Food Code and characterized. The beverages were formulated by using maltodextrin (MD) with two dextrose equivalents (DE), 10 and 15, and then spray-dried at an inlet air temperature of 130 °C. The physicochemical, microscopical, phytochemical and functional characteristics of the powders were surveyed. The experiments carried out showed good physical properties for both formulations showing high water solubility with adequate features for handling, transport and storage. The chromatic parameters of both powdered beverages indicate orange–pink tones regardless of the wall material used. The total polyphenol and flavonoid content in the beverages were kept after spray-drying (92 and 100%, respectively). The anthocyanins were less stable under drying conditions (yield 58%). Both powdered beverages showed high scavenger capacity on ABTS^•+, HO^• and H₂O₂ (SC₅₀ between 3.29 to 41.05 µg GAE/mL) and were able to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity (CI₅₀ between 91.35 and 114.43 µg GAE/mL). The beverages were neither toxic nor mutagenic in the concentration range with biological activity. The results obtained in the present work scientifically support the use of the powdered beverages of Argentinean native plants as antioxidant.

European lineages of Apis mellifera were first introduced into America for beekeeping purposes. A subsequent introduction and accidental release of A. m. scutellata resulted in hybridization events that gave rise to Africanized populations that rapidly spread throughout the continent. In Argentina, Africanized honey bees (AHBs) have been mostly detected in northern regions of the territory, and represent a valuable genetic resource for the selection of stocks with advantageous characteristics for beekeeping. The objective of the present study was to profile honey bee colonies of wild origin with potential beneficial traits for apiculture using morphological, molecular and behavioral traits. Honey bee colonies chosen for evaluation were located in two different agro-ecological regions in north-western Argentina (Tucumán province): The Chaco Depressed Plain (Leales apiary) and the Piedmont (Famaillá apiary). Each apiary was surveyed three times during the 2017–2018 season (mid-season, wintertime, and early spring) for: brood population, phoretic Varroa level and defensive behavior (run, fly, sting, and hang). At the midpoint of the beekeeping season colonies were also characterized by morphometry (45 variables) and mitochondrial haplotypes (COI–COII intergenic region). Apiaries studied showed similar patterns throughout the beekeeping season, for most of the characteristics monitored. However, significant variation in defensive behavior parameters was found between apiaries at the different times of evaluation. Twelve of 45 morphometric variables also showed significant differences between apiaries. The mitochondrial haplotype analysis revealed a high representation of African A4 and A1 haplotypes (91%) in both apiaries. Haplotype variation was associated with morphometric and behavioral traits. Multivariate analyses [principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA)] including morphometric and behavior variables explained 65.3% (PCA) and 48.1% (PCoA) of the variability observed between colonies in the first two components. Several morphometric parameters and “fly” behavior were mainly associated with the separation of the colonies. The results from this study point to a possible association between morphometric and behavioral variation and the adaptation of honey bee colonies to differential agro-ecological conditions. We discuss how the detected variation between apiaries can be used for the selection and preservation of honey bee ecotypes in regional breeding programs.