Elemental characterization of the extract of propolis produced by scaptotrigona postiça bee from Brazil using NAA

Abstract

The Scaptotrigona postiça bee is a stingless insect belonging to Apidae family and subfamily Meliponinae. This genus occurs throughout in Neotropics. In Brazil, it is found in the northeastern mainly in the Barra do Corda County (Maranhão). Specifically, the propolis produced by this bee have several medical applications: it is used in the healing of wounds with an inflammatory process and in treatment of prostate tumors. Considering its importance in medicinal use and the great variability in relation to botanical origin, its standardization in relation to the dosage of inorganic elements is important to meet the different medical applications. The objective of this investigation was to perform a multielemental characterization using Neutron Activation Analysis technique. The measurements were performed using the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor at IPEN – CNEN/SP (Brasil). These data increase the knowledge of its inorganic components and can introduce improvements in the production of these extracts, mainly as regards to toxicity.