Biotransformation Strategy To Reduce Allergens in Propolis

Abstract

Propolis (bee glue) is a resinous, sticky, dark-colored material produced by honeybees. Propolis today, due to its medicinal properties, is increasingly popular and is extensively used in food, beverages, and cosmetic products. Besides its numerous positive properties, propolis may also have adverse effects, such as, principally, allergic eczematous contact dermatitis in apiarists and in consumers with an allergic predisposition. In this study, we found appropriate conditions for removing caffeate esters, which are the main allergenic components, from raw propolis. The proposed method consists of the resuspension of propolis in a food grade solvent, followed by a biotransformation based on the cinnamoyl esterase activity of Lactobacillus helveticus. We showed that the reduction of caffeate esters by L. helveticus did not affect the content of flavonoids, which are the main bioactive molecules of propolis. Furthermore, we verified that the biotransformation of propolis did not cause a loss of antimicrobial activity. Finally, we demonstrated that the ability of L. helveticus to hydrolyze caffeate esters in propolis is strain specific. In conclusion, the proposed strategy is simple, employs food grade materials, and is effective in selectively removing allergenic molecules without affecting the bioactive fraction of propolis. This is the first study demonstrating that the allergenic caffeate esters of propolis can be eliminated by means of a bacterial biotransformation procedure.

S-Layer Protein Mediates the Stimulatory Effect of Lactobacillus helveticus MIMLh5 on Innate Immunity

“…In this study, we focused our attention on L. helveticus MIMLh5, a dairy strain isolated from Italian Grana Padano cheese natural whey starter, which has already been described in our previous studies for its metabolic, biotechnological, and probiotic features (8,28,29). This strain was demonstrated to exert promising immunomodulatory effects (6)(7)(8).…”

Apitherapy for Parkinson’s Disease: A Focus on the Effects of Propolis and Royal Jelly

“…Hence, individuals with known allergies are advised to completely avoid the consumption of propolis and propolis containing products [ 49 ]. Given the enormous benefits of propolis, several methods have been developed to remove allergenic compounds in propolis such as benzyl cinnamate and benzyl salicylate [ 50 , 51 ]. However, the safety profile of purified propolis extracts has not been evaluated in individuals allergic to propolis yet.…”

Ectopic Periorbital Dermatitis and Mycosis Fungoides-Like Dermatitis Due to Propolis

“…1 A procedure eliminating caffeate esters from propolis and its consequent allergic property without reducing medicinal properties was reported recently. 2 Barrier creams may help patients with airborne dermatitis due to propolis. 3 Particularly relevant to our second patient is that propolis and M. pereirae share several chemicals in common, raising the possibility of cross reactivity; overlapping allergens include benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate, and cinnamyl cinnamate.…”