Innovative Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for Phenolic and Antioxidant Evaluation of Brazilian Green Propolis

Abstract

Phenolic compounds are the main components of green propolis, including its chemical marker Artepellin C. These compounds are well known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, which have prompted numerous studies investigating both their chemical composition and biological activities. In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and response surface methodology (RSM) were applied to optimize the process of extracting phenolic compounds in Brazilian green propolis using methanol and ethanol as extraction solvents. The results showed that the ideal conditions for extracting simple phenolics with ethanol were 50% ethanol/water, 20 °C, 20% amplitude, and a 0.6 s−1 cycle; for complex phenolics, the ideal conditions were 80% ethanol, 60 °C, a 43% amplitude, and a 0.8 s−1 cycle. Using methanol, the ideal conditions were 100% solvent, 37 °C, a 38% amplitude, and a 0.2 s−1 cycles. These findings have significant practical applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries, enabling the standardized and efficient extraction of bioactive compounds from propolis for the development of functional products, such as dietary supplements, natural preservatives, and therapeutic formulations. This approach also minimizes solvent use and reduces environmental impact.