Methods For Extracting Propolis With Water?

Propolis is a resin-like substance produced by bees from tree buds, sap, or other materials. It can be extracted from a beehive using simple steps. The extraction process is crucial for using the bioactive constituents of propolis. For the highest quality extract, ethanol (also called grain alcohol, pure alcohol, or ethyl alcohol C O) is used. However, any food grade alcohol that is at least 130 proof can also be used.

Tinctures prepared in glycol and olive oil are better for skin and cosmetic purposes. Propolis extract is made by dissolving propolis collected from honey bee colonies into alcohol and straining out the precipitate. The best alcohol to use is 70 ethyl alcohol.

Several studies have investigated the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of propolis extracts using water and various concentrations of ethanol as solvents. A method of making water-soluble propolis involves dissolving frozen propolis powder in boiling water without the use of ethanol and then agitating in a shaking process.

Subcritical water extraction (SWE) was used to investigate the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of propolis extracts. Aqueous propolis extracts were prepared using purified water and propylene glycol, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, and sodium bicarbonate aqueous solutions. Propolis is often prepared through the process of maceration using water or aqueous ethanol as a solvent for propolis extraction.

In summary, propolis is a valuable substance produced by bees and can be extracted from a beehive with simple steps. The extraction process involves dissolving propolis into alcohol, solid-liquid separating, filtering, and centrifuging. The water extracts of propolis (WEP) are sterilized by a Millipore syringe filter and diluted to 1 and 2 mg/ml of final product.


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What is the best solvent for propolis?

The most commonly used extraction technique is using 70 ethanol, which is simple and ideal for producing polyphenol-rich deparaffinated extracts. This method is widely used in the production of various chemicals. The use of cookies on this site is governed by copyright © 2024 Elsevier B. V., its licensors, and contributors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

How do you extract propolis without alcohol?

To circumvent the use of alcohol, individuals may utilize water extracts derived from propolis. This can be achieved by immersing or boiling the plant in water. However, it is important to note that boiling may result in the loss of some aromatic compounds.

How do you dilute propolis extract?

To make an alcohol propolis tincture, measure 1 part propolis to 9 parts 75 proof Everclear. Mix in a jar, shake, and store in a cool, dark place. Shake 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks. Strain the tincture using a coffee filter or cheesecloth. Store in a dark, glass jar. To make an oil propolis tincture, use the fast way using heat or the slow way using the same alcohol ratio. When making the slow way, substitute oil in the same way as the alcohol tincture.

How to dissolve propolis?

To create a propolis tincture, soak propolis in water for 3-7 days to soften it. Then, soak it in a minimum 70-proof ethyl alcohol, shaking it daily. Avoid using contaminated or denatured alcohol, as it can be poisonous. A 50-gm solution with 100mls of water yields a 50-gm solution. Extracting active ingredients takes 1-3 weeks. Filter the liquid through a coffee filter, and store in a dark glass bottle in a cool place. The tincture can be used for toothache, boils, and infections, or for stomach and other internal ailments.

How to make propolis water extract?
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How to make propolis water extract?

To extract propolis from the ground propolis, combine it with Everclear and shake it 2-3 times daily for two weeks. Use a powerful grain alcohol like Everclear for the extraction, as Vodka or other spirits may not have the same extraction power. Filter the propolis after two weeks using a clean cloth, paper filters, or cotton ball. Fold the cloth into multiple layers for increased effectiveness. Refrigerate the propolis at 40°F (4. 0°C) for a few days before filtering again.

The filtrate should be clear, free of particles, and dark brown or slightly reddish in color. A coffee filter can also be used. Rinse the paper with water and let it rest before pouring the extract through.

Does propolis dissolve in water?
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Does propolis dissolve in water?

Propolis, a bee product known for its biological effects, is widely used for disease prevention and treatment. Its active substances are easily soluble in ethanol, but not in water, oil, or other solvents commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, radical scavenging, and antimicrobial activity of propolis extracts made in nonethanolic solvents.

The total content of phenolic compounds in extracts was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the chemical composition and radical scavenging activity were determined using an HPLC system with a free radical reaction detector.

The antimicrobial activity of the examined preparations was evaluated using the agar-well diffusion assay. The results showed that the total amount of phenolic compounds in extracts made in polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG) and water mixture or PEG, olive oil, and water mixture at 70°C was comparable to that of ethanolic extract.

How is propolis extracted?
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How is propolis extracted?

Propolis, a honeybee product, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects. It is rich in bioactive molecules, which vary depending on the botanical and geographical origin of propolis. These bioactive molecules have been studied individually and as part of propolis extracts, as they can be used as representative markers for propolis standardization.

Propolis extracts and polyphenols act by suppressing similar targets, such as pro-inflammatory TNF/NF-κB and the pro-proliferative MAPK/ERK pathway. They also activate similar antioxidant mechanisms, like Nrf2-ARE intracellular antioxidant pathway, and all have antimicrobial activity. However, the pharmacological effects of propolis depend on the efficacy of these compounds’ extraction.

There are various propolis extraction technologies, from traditional to modern ones, which are environmentally friendly. These technologies belong to an open research area that needs further effective solutions in terms of well-standardized liquid and solid extracts, which would be reliable in their pharmacological effects, environmentally friendly, and sustainable for production.

Propolis is a natural, glue-like mixture collected by honeybees, mostly from flower and leaf buds of different plant species. It consists of plant resins, essential oils, beeswax, and pollen. Organic compounds identified in propolis include polyphenols, terpenes, esters, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and sugars. Since plant material comes in contact with the honeybee’s digestive system, propolis is considered an animal-derived product.

Is propolis extract water soluble?
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Is propolis extract water soluble?

The waxy or oily substance in propolis is water-insoluble and not suitable for human consumption. Therefore, it’s crucial to remove this substance to remove the earthy odour, especially when used in food formulation. This process is also essential for removing the waxy substance. The copyright for this content belongs to Elsevier B. V., its licensors, and contributors, and all rights are reserved. Open access content is licensed under Creative Commons terms.


📹 DIY Propolis Tincture Recipe

Propolis is rich in bioactive compounds that support immune vitality, oral health, gut health & more. It can be taken orally, used in …


Methods For Extracting Propolis With Water
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

8 comments

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  • We’ve been making propolis tincture as well. I make a 30% propolis tincture and have used it for ingrown toenail, cuts, etc. My wife was on blood thinners and cut herself. She put the tincture on and it immediately sealed the cut and she said it also stopped hurting. Had an ingrown toenail that nothing was working on….. put propolis tincture on and it was better after the 2nd day. It’s great stuff! Thanks for sharing

  • I’m a beekeeper and began collecting propolis. I made my first tincture with Everclear at 190 proof. i gargled and swished it in my mouth. OMG! It was nearly impossible to get the propolis coating off my teeth. If it’s that difficult to get off fingers, utensils, TEETH, etc… i wonder what goes on in the digestive system. I’m guessing our enzymes break it down?

  • I scrapped a 5 ounce ball of propolis off one inner cover and the top bar and frame rest on an 8 frame box. Didn’t scrape the boxes corners down in, just from this one top! 5 ounces!!! I refer to it as ole number 13 mr sticky is what it’s listed as in my notes. I used PGA 25 fluid ounces with that 5 ounces tennis balls, 2 of them. Been in for 3 weeks now.

  • I made the huge mistake of taking a piece of propolis and chewing it up. My neighbor came by after I did that and I had brown spots all over my teeth but I didn’t know till I looked in the mirror afterwards. LOL how embarrassing!! I will use your recipe and avoid brown teeth! (I’m still picking propolis out of my teeth 3 hours later)

  • I am getting in beekeeping in a big way currently. I am also excited to harvesting propolis, pollen, honey, wax, and venom to use personally. However I am also aware of the varrora mite and the treatments required. What do you use to combat this mite. Almost all treatments do settle into honey, wax, pollen, propolis. So with that said how are you ensuring that you are not taking the chemicals used to treat the mite.

  • It’s good to know cause I thought the alcohol would kill all the good bacteria and Antifungal as well Antiseptic properties. As I always thought, alcohol was just a great process for extracting oils from other types of organics such as herbs and plants. As I was interested in learning more about bee bread Which was consumed by spartans I came across another one of your articles.

  • The only time I had ever taken propolis was whenever I was in a house with black mold and it was killing me. I took propolis, colloidal silver, peroxide therapy because the mold was already attacking my organs, I had lived there for 2 years with the windows painted shut and didn’t know. I was in and out of the hospital until I took all of the remedies that I mentioned above and meditated, then moved. I’m healthier now than I ever was. That was like eight years ago. Do you sell this? I’d really like to buy a big jar, I would rather buy it from you than Swanson if available

  • I would have loved to come over and see you at the conference but the cost is way beyond my means at the moment everything is doubling in price at the moment and my ill health pension will only go so far even dog chews I did buy every month for my dogs have suddenly gone up from £5.60 to £10.69 a pack so I’ve had to half the number of chews they can have. I would have loved to see what you would have thought of to aid me as pain killers is all the doctors will prescribe. Never mind maybe next year.